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

Bringing up the rear are Brett, a 28-year-old health and safety manager from Pennsylvania; Moze, a 25-year-old algebra teacher from New York; startup founder Jahaan, 28, who gives Jenn a queen chess piece; and Devin, 28, a freight company owner from Texas. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 9 July 2024

Moze, a 25-year-old algebra teacher from Albany, New York. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 July 2024

This year, for example, 53% passed the algebra 1 exam, which is a graduation requirement, up from 50% last year. —Leslie Postal, Orlando Sentinel, 1 July 2024

While 68% of English 10 test-takers were at least proficient in the subject, only 22% of algebra 1 test-takers scored proficient or higher. —Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024

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