open sentence

noun

: a statement (as in mathematics) that contains at least one blank or unknown and that becomes true or false when the blank is filled or a quantity is substituted for the unknown

Examples of open sentence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Firstly, that opening sentence caught a lot of people’s attention. Graeme McMillan, WIRED, 8 July 2018 Rossetti said the plea deal was altered to involve an open sentence by the judge upon the guilty plea, but officials said Sherman, a Fox Lake resident, could not be sentenced to more than five years under the current charges against her. Jim Newton, Lake County News-Sun, 7 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open sentence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open sentence was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near open sentence

Cite this Entry

“Open sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20sentence. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

open sentence

noun
: a statement (as in mathematics) that contains at least one blank or unknown and that becomes true or false when the blank is filled or a quantity is substituted for the unknown
"n + 5 = 3" and "It is divisible by 6" are open sentences

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