SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

Zorn's lemma

noun
Save Word
\ ˈzȯrnz- How to pronounce Zorn's lemma (audio) , ˈtsȯrnz- How to pronounce Zorn's lemma (audio) \

Definition of Zorn's lemma

: a lemma in set theory: if a set S is partially ordered and if each subset for which every pair of elements is related by exactly one of the relationships "less than," "equal to," or "greater than" has an upper bound in S, then S contains at least one element for which there is no greater element in S — compare axiom of choice

First Known Use of Zorn's lemma

circa 1950, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Zorn's lemma

Max August Zorn †1993 German mathematician

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Zorn's lemma

Time Traveler for Zorn's lemma

Time Traveler

The first known use of Zorn's lemma was circa 1950

See more words from the same year

Statistics for Zorn's lemma

Cite this Entry

“Zorn's lemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Zorn%27s%20lemma. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

Comments on Zorn's lemma

What made you want to look up Zorn's lemma? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

organoleptic

Listen to the pronunciation of organoleptic

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

  • squirrel in winter
  • Which is a synonym of perdure?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games