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

Grimmer’s paper focused only on smooth functions, which have no sharp kinks, and convex functions, which are shaped like a bowl and only have one optimal value at the bottom. —Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2023

Fluted white marble columns sit on black granite pedestals, carrying the eye upward to where lines slide over, folds narrow, and concavities become convex. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2023

The new release swaps traditional convex lenses for a concave design, in an effort to reduce reflections by up to 70 percent. —Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2023

The festival grounds were strewed with funhouse-style concave/convex mirrors (so ticklishly distortive!), giant replica Minions and even a basketball court scaled down to backyard dimensions. —M.t. Richards, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2023

This is a thing — so much so that the Japanese have convex mirrors at the end of interior aisles to show oncoming traffic. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 8 June 2023

This is a thing -- so much so that the Japanese have convex mirrors at the end of interior aisles, to see oncoming traffic. —Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 8 June 2023

All four screens are slightly convex with 3.9mm-resolution LED modules. —Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 18 Apr. 2023

The shots, spanning nearly 40 years, include one of an elegant woman, face out of frame, slipping out of a pair of heels, and another depicting Hendricks’s reflection in a convex mirror, a twist on Parmigianino’s famous self-portrait. —Caitie Kelly Julia Halperin Jinnie Lee Caitie Kelly Gisela Williams Mahira Rivers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2023

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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

• plano-convex
• concavo-convex

• plano-convex
• concavo-convex

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