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

The death of a language is like that of square dancing, or of doing algebra by pencil and paper, and mistaking metaphor for reality is one of the surest routes to woolly thinking. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

The word algebra derives from the al-jabr in this title, which, by extension, also informs the word algorithm. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Casey Sink Casey Sink, who currently teaches geometry and algebra and serves as special teams coordinator for the freshman football team at Summit Senior High School, has a bit of his kids’ artistic talents. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026

Why wrestle with algebra when an AI assistant can provide the answer in seconds? — Dana Suskind, Md, CNBC, 29 July 2026

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