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

algebraist

ˈal-jə-ˌbrā-ist 

noun

Examples of algebra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Coppedge’s son, Jack, is a 16-year-old high school student who excels at algebra and physics. —Calmatters, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025

Their respective Lie algebras simplify their key properties, Vogan said, making this task much more straightforward. —Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 3 Dec. 2025

For 7th grader Grant, the biggest challenge is algebra. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025

This is like trying to solve an algebra problem with two unknowns (and two knowns still being tweaked). —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-jabr, literally, the reduction

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing algebra

• abstract algebra
• Boolean algebra
• linear algebra

Kids 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

ˌal-jə-ˈbrā-ik

adjective

algebraically

-ˈbrā-ə-k(ə-)lē

adverb