trinomial

American  

[trahy-noh-mee-uhl] / traɪˈnoʊ mi əl /

adjective

1. Algebra. consisting of or pertaining to three terms.

2. Biology.

   1. pertaining to a scientific name comprising three terms, as of genus, species, and subspecies or variety.

   2. characterized by the use of such names.

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noun

1. Algebra. an expression that is a sum or difference of three terms, as 3 x + 2 y + z or 3 x 3 + 2 x 2 + x.

2. Biology. a trinomial name, as Rosa gallica pumila.

trinomial British  

/ traɪˈnəʊmɪəl /

adjective

1. maths consisting of or relating to three terms

2. biology denoting or relating to the three-part name of an organism that incorporates its genus, species, and subspecies

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noun

1. maths a polynomial consisting of three terms, such as ax ² + bx + c

2. biology the third word in the trinomial name of an organism, which distinguishes between subspecies

trinomial Scientific  

/ trī-nō′mē-əl /

1. A mathematical expression that is the sum of three monomials, such as ax ² + bx − c.

2. A taxonomic designation indicating genus, species, and subspecies or variety, as in Brassica oleracea botrytis, the cauliflower.

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Other Word Forms

• trinomially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of trinomial

First recorded in 1665–75; tri- + (bi)nomial

Example Sentences

Genus is the first word of the trinomial name and a subdivision of a larger plant family; some have only a single kind of plant, such as Ginkgo, while others, like Rosa, contain hundreds.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 25, 2023

Similarly, the sum of cubes can be factored into a binomial and a trinomial, but with different signs.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

Using your own words, explain the difference between a monomial, a binomial, and a trinomial.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Now to complete the perfect square trinomial, we will find the last term by squaring b, which is 32 = 9.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Case V. A trinomial of the form Three terms.

From A Review of Algebra by Rivenburg, Romeyn Henry