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
Neil Paine, New York Times, 22 July 2025
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
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
Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The All-Star hosts were six games underwater in their Pythagorean differential at the break, with a huge split between their record in close games (13-24 in one-run games, 17-32 in two-run games) and blowouts (25-21 in games decided by three or more runs).
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 22 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
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
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
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
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
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Noun
Boston went 12-19 in one-run games (fifth worst in MLB) but 41-26 (second best) in multi-run contests, helping fuel a 2.2-win gap in Pythagorean versus actual records.
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 22 July 2025
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
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
Adjective
But his two Cubs teams are -7 in the Pythagorean standings, with too many wins getting away from them.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The All-Star hosts were six games underwater in their Pythagorean differential at the break, with a huge split between their record in close games (13-24 in one-run games, 17-32 in two-run games) and blowouts (25-21 in games decided by three or more runs).
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 22 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
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
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
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Pythagorean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pythagorean. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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