convex

adjective

con·​vex kän-ˈveks  ˈkän-ˌveks 

kən-ˈveks

1

a

: curved or rounded outward like the exterior of a sphere or circle

b

: being a continuous function or part of a continuous function with the property that a line joining any two points on its graph lies on or above the graph

2

a

of a set of points : containing all points in a line joining any two constituent points

b

of a geometric figure : comprising a convex set when combined with its interior

a convex polygon

Examples of convex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Patrick Reuter, winemaker at Dominio IV Wines, notes that Yamhill-Carlton has a convex hillside tilting to the Northeast. —Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Providers have been instructed to use headphones, computer privacy screens and even convex mirrors to block veterans’ view of other people in the room, documents and interviews show. —Ellen Barry, New York Times, 4 May 2025

British designer Thomas Heatherwick transformed the industrial structure with enormous, convex geometric windows—56 panels of glass in each—that bulge outward like giant pillowed eyes, turning the building into a sculptural object visible across Cape Town's waterfront. —Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025

The field is constrained such that its iso-values represent curved layers that are supported from below, and present a convex surface affording for collision-free navigation of the printer head. —Erico Guizzo, IEEE Spectrum, 19 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French convexe, from Latin convexus vaulted, concave, convex, from com- + -vexus; perhaps akin to Latin vehere to carry — more at way

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing convex

• concavo-convex
• plano-convex

Rhymes for convex

• annex
• annexe
• apex
• aztecs
• carex
• codecs
• codex
• cusecs
• duplex
• execs
• fedex
• kleenex

Kids Definition

convex

adjective

con·​vex kän-ˈveks  kən- 

ˈkän-ˌveks

: curved or rounded like the outside of a sphere or circle

a convex lens

convexity

kən-ˈvek-sət-ē

kän-

noun

Medical Definition

convex

adjective

con·​vex kän-ˈveks; ˈkän-ˌ  kən-ˈ 

: curved or rounded like the exterior of a sphere or circle

convex lenses are used to correct for farsightedness

convexity

kən-ˈvek-sət-ē, kän- 

noun

plural convexities