Illustration of hyperbola
- AB CD axes
- F F′ foci
- xy zw asymptotes
- h h′ h″ h′′′ hyperbola
hyperbola
noun
hy·per·bo·la
hī-ˈpər-bə-lə 
plural hyperbolas or hyperbolae
hī-ˈpər-bə-(ˌ)lē
: a plane curve generated by a point so moving that the difference of the distances from two fixed points is a constant : a curve formed by the intersection of a double right circular cone with a plane that cuts both halves of the cone
Examples of hyperbola in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Furthermore, parabolas and hyperbolas are equivalent to ellipses, with the addition of one or two points at infinity, respectively.
—
Richard Jensen, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2025
The rounded points are traced with hyperbolas — curves that shave off as much area as possible without messing with the packing.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 June 2024
On it, black and white hyperbolas formed a zebra-like pattern, indicating structures of some sort underground.
—WIRED, 28 Sep. 2023
Claira Chong can graph hyperbola but couldn't write a check.
—Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2021
This same relationship between monetary aggregates and the value of a currency (a hyperbola, for those who remember geometry) applies to other advanced economies and to other monetary measures such as M2 money supply.
—Douglas Carr, National Review, 14 Sep. 2020
The corresponding mathematical function is a hyperbola.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2018
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Richard Jensen, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2025
The rounded points are traced with hyperbolas — curves that shave off as much area as possible without messing with the packing.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 June 2024
On it, black and white hyperbolas formed a zebra-like pattern, indicating structures of some sort underground.
—WIRED, 28 Sep. 2023
Claira Chong can graph hyperbola but couldn't write a check.
—Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2021
This same relationship between monetary aggregates and the value of a currency (a hyperbola, for those who remember geometry) applies to other advanced economies and to other monetary measures such as M2 money supply.
—Douglas Carr, National Review, 14 Sep. 2020
The corresponding mathematical function is a hyperbola.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Hyperbola.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperbola. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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