algebra
noun
al·ge·bra
ˈal-jə-brə 
1
: a generalization of arithmetic in which letters representing numbers are combined according to the rules of arithmetic
2
: any of various systems or branches of mathematics or logic concerned with the properties and relationships of abstract entities (such as complex numbers, matrices, sets, vectors, groups, rings, or fields) manipulated in symbolic form under operations often analogous to those of arithmetic compare boolean algebra
Examples of algebra in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Our knowledge of eclipses predates our knowledge of gravity, algebra, and toilet paper.
—
Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
Those students received algebra lessons in the morning, and then took Algebra 1 with their full class.
—Maura Turcotte, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023
The company offers hundreds of educational lessons that range from taking a virtual trip to the Statue of Liberty to lessons on algebra.
—Bankim Chandra, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
How much algebra do students need to succeed in college?
—Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Sinema’s move simplifies the electoral algebra in the race for her seat from a three-way contest with no recent comparison to a more traditional clash between a Democrat and a Republican.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024
The two started meeting daily to align their lesson plans and set consistent, higher standards, ensuring smooth transitions from algebra to geometry and beyond.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2024
They are also used to study the structure of mathematical objects called cluster algebras and are connected to elliptic curves — which were the key to cracking Fermat’s Last Theorem.
—Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
Humans who compete in the IMO do not just solve geometric problems, however: its problems also cover other areas of mathematics such as algebra, number theory and combinatorics.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2024
Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
Those students received algebra lessons in the morning, and then took Algebra 1 with their full class.
—Maura Turcotte, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023
The company offers hundreds of educational lessons that range from taking a virtual trip to the Statue of Liberty to lessons on algebra.
—Bankim Chandra, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
How much algebra do students need to succeed in college?
—Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Sinema’s move simplifies the electoral algebra in the race for her seat from a three-way contest with no recent comparison to a more traditional clash between a Democrat and a Republican.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024
The two started meeting daily to align their lesson plans and set consistent, higher standards, ensuring smooth transitions from algebra to geometry and beyond.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2024
They are also used to study the structure of mathematical objects called cluster algebras and are connected to elliptic curves — which were the key to cracking Fermat’s Last Theorem.
—Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
Humans who compete in the IMO do not just solve geometric problems, however: its problems also cover other areas of mathematics such as algebra, number theory and combinatorics.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'algebra.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Algebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/algebra. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
algebra
noun
al·ge·bra
ˈal-jə-brə
: a branch of mathematics that uses letters to represent numbers and that studies numbers and the operations (as multiplication and addition) that are used on them
algebraic
adjective
ˌal-jə-ˈbrā-ik
algebraically
adverb
-ˈbrā-ə-k(ə-)lē
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