Py·thag·o·re·an
pə-ˌtha-gə-ˈrē-ən 
(ˌ)pī-
: any of a group professing to be followers of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras
: of, relating to, or associated with the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, his philosophy, or the Pythagoreans
Examples of Pythagorean in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 6 May 2025
That expectation, based on Pythagorean winning percentage, is traditionally more predictive of future results than a simple win-loss record.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 14 May 2025
For example: Pythagorean triples Many scholars have considered the list an exercise in pure, theoretical mathematics, perhaps even a problem set used for teaching students.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024
Instead, the pair of students used a trigonometric rule called the Law of Sines, which does not rely on the Pythagorean theorem.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Charles Barkley's $1M donation to St. Mary's arrives after students solve Pythagorean Theorem
Sep 4, 2024
Go deeper (<1 min. read)
Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios New Orleans.
—Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024
Baltimore’s Pythagorean record, a metric that calculates a team’s record based on its run differential, entering Thursday was 51-29, one win better than its actual mark.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2024
These Are the Most Bizarre Numbers in the Universe
Manon Bischoff
2 High School Students Prove Pythagorean Theorem.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 June 2024
For example, Pythagorean triples (such as 3, 4 and 5), represent right triangles whose three vertices are all integer distances apart.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Math lessons sometimes include the Pythagorean theorem with its A squared plus B squared equals C squared to help calculate angles for roofing, as well as volume and surface areas.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Teorema, which in English means theorem, also evokes the Pythagorean theorem of Euclidean geometry — angular shapes are very much at the heart of this new collection.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
There are many different schools of numerology, such as the Pythagorean system and Chaldean method.
Wilder, who uses Chaldean numerology, says most esoteric sciences or spiritual fields – including palm reading or astrology – are based in numerology.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Their Pythagorean record is 47-55 as of this writing, which is two fewer actual wins than the Giants have.
—Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 26 July 2024
Although the Pythagorean theorem has been proved with algebra and geometry, mathematicians previously thought that it couldn’t be proved using trigonometry.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Baltimore’s 2023 Pythagorean record based on run differential was seven wins worse than its actual mark — an indicator for a team that perhaps overachieved.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2024
The popular Pythagorean win-loss record, based on run differential, say, is ostensibly a more accurate reflection of a team’s performance.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Whether an educator taught your child their ABCs or the Pythagorean theorem, this week is a chance to return the gratitude.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 6 May 2025
That expectation, based on Pythagorean winning percentage, is traditionally more predictive of future results than a simple win-loss record.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 14 May 2025
For example: Pythagorean triples Many scholars have considered the list an exercise in pure, theoretical mathematics, perhaps even a problem set used for teaching students.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024
Instead, the pair of students used a trigonometric rule called the Law of Sines, which does not rely on the Pythagorean theorem.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Charles Barkley's $1M donation to St. Mary's arrives after students solve Pythagorean Theorem
Sep 4, 2024
Go deeper (<1 min. read)
Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios New Orleans.
—Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024
Baltimore’s Pythagorean record, a metric that calculates a team’s record based on its run differential, entering Thursday was 51-29, one win better than its actual mark.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2024
These Are the Most Bizarre Numbers in the Universe
Manon Bischoff
2 High School Students Prove Pythagorean Theorem.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 June 2024
For example, Pythagorean triples (such as 3, 4 and 5), represent right triangles whose three vertices are all integer distances apart.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Adjective
While the Red Sox have won 46 games (against 45 losses), their Pythagorean record has them at 49-42, three games better.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Math lessons sometimes include the Pythagorean theorem with its A squared plus B squared equals C squared to help calculate angles for roofing, as well as volume and surface areas.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Teorema, which in English means theorem, also evokes the Pythagorean theorem of Euclidean geometry — angular shapes are very much at the heart of this new collection.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
There are many different schools of numerology, such as the Pythagorean system and Chaldean method.
Wilder, who uses Chaldean numerology, says most esoteric sciences or spiritual fields – including palm reading or astrology – are based in numerology.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Their Pythagorean record is 47-55 as of this writing, which is two fewer actual wins than the Giants have.
—Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 26 July 2024
Although the Pythagorean theorem has been proved with algebra and geometry, mathematicians previously thought that it couldn’t be proved using trigonometry.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Baltimore’s 2023 Pythagorean record based on run differential was seven wins worse than its actual mark — an indicator for a team that perhaps overachieved.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2024
The popular Pythagorean win-loss record, based on run differential, say, is ostensibly a more accurate reflection of a team’s performance.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Pythagorean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pythagorean. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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