Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

algorism

noun
al·​go·​rism | \ ˈal-gə-ˌri-zəm\
plural -s

Definition of algorism

1a : the system of Arabic numerals
b : the art of calculating by means of nine figures and zero : arithmetic
2 : the art of calculating with any species of notation the algorism of fractions

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from algorism

algorismic \ ¦al-​gə-​ˌ¦riz-​mik \ adjective

First Known Use of algorism

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for algorism

Middle English augrim, algorisme, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old French augorisme, from Medieval Latin algorismus, from Arabic al-khuwārizmi, after abu-Jaʽfar Mohammed ibn-Mūsa al-Khuwārizmi, flourished 825 a.d. Persian mathematician

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about algorism

Statistics for algorism

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for algorism

The first known use of algorism was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Comments on algorism

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

bower

Listen to the pronounciation of bower

a shady place in a garden or forest

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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