Definition of arc
1 : the apparent path described above and below the horizon by a celestial body (such as the sun)
2a : something arched or curvedb : a curved path the arc of a fly ball
3 : a sustained luminous discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or between electrodes; also : arc lamp
4 : a continuous portion (as of a circle or ellipse) of a curved line
5 : degree measurement on the circumference of a circle —used especially in the phrase of arc 11 minutes 3 seconds of arc
6 : a continuous progression or line of development a story's dramatic arc
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Examples of arc in a Sentence
He bent the twig into an arc.
The ball floated in a high arc.
Recent Examples of arc from the Web
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Players will have one minute to shoot from five locations around the three-point arc.
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Gustavo and Lucia simply take too long to prove their value in the broader arc of the season.
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That claim rang true to U.S. analysts, who agreed that the high arc was likely intended to avoid possibly hitting Japanese territory.
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But government and independent analyses showed the missile traveling in a steep arc that topped out at more than 1,740 vertical miles above the Earth’s surface.
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The line that the two commanders agreed upon runs in an arc from the southern shore of Lake Assad to a small town east of Raqqa.
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Visible on clear nights, clouds of glowing green slowly morph into gyrating arcs that cover the sky — then vanish.
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In 36 games (29 starts) with the Mavericks, Ferrell averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 29.0 minutes while shooting .412 from the field, .403 from behind-the-arc and .877 from the free throw line.
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Brownridge earned all-conference honors three times and made the second-most three-pointers in program history, sinking 40.3 percent (385-for-956) of his shots from beyond the arc.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arc.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of arc
Middle English ark, from Anglo-French arc bow, from Latin arcus bow, arch, arc — more at arrow
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
Examples of arc in a Sentence
The arrow arced through the air.
A light arced across the sky.
The island chain arcs from north to south.
Recent Examples of arc from the Web
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Most calls were about arcing or fallen power lines.
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Big snow blowers sent plumes arcing through the air and off the side of the road.
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His arms did the same thing: arced out from his body.
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A sparkling chandelier with cascading floral wreaths was centered by swaths of snowy drapes arcing from the ceiling, and white hydrangeas in crystal vases topped elegantly appointed tables at the Msgr.
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The route arcs into the wide streets of Vedado, home of the opulent mansions that aristocrats, sugar barons, and American tycoons built in the 19th and 20th centuries in a competition of excess.
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But her high-arcing kick from 40 yards out on the left wing bounced over the head of Waubonsie Valley goalkeeper Sarah Young and into the net.
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Earlier this week, North Korea showed off its new missile, which arced over 1,000 miles into space before splashing down into the Sea of Japan.
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Update (1:10 pm.) Service was partially restored on Metro’s Red Line after a report of an arcing insulator near Medical Center on Monday afternoon.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arc.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of arc
see 1arc
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
arc
Definition of arc
mathematics
: inverse 2 —used with the trigonometric functions and hyperbolic functions
Origin and Etymology of arc
arc sine arc or angle (corresponding to the) sine (of so many degrees)
ARC
Definition of ARC
1 AIDS-related complex
2 American Red Cross
ARC Defined for English Language Learners
arc
playDefinition of arc for English Language Learners
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: a line or shape that is curved like part of a circle
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: a brightly glowing electric current that flows across an open space between two points (such as two electrodes)
arc
Definition of arc for English Language Learners
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: to move or lie in a curving path : to follow an arc-shaped course
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: to form an electric arc
ARC Defined for Kids
Definition of arc for Students
1 : a glowing light across a gap in an electric circuit or between electrodes
2 : a part of a curved line between any two points on it
Definition of arc for Students
arced
\ˈärkt\;arcing
\ˈär-kiŋ\1 : to form an electric arc
2 : to follow a curved course A missile arced across the sky.
Medical Dictionary
arc
playMedical Definition of arc
1: an arched or curved anatomical part, distance, or pathway—see reflex arc
2: a sustained luminous discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or between electrodes
ARC
Medical Definition of ARC
1AIDS-related complex
2American Red Cross
Learn More about arc
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See words that rhyme with arc Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arc Spanish Central: Translation of arc Nglish: Translation of arc for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of arc for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arc
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