exponential

adjective ex·po·nen·tial \ ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-shəl \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Examples: exponential in a Sentence

Definition of exponential

1 : of or relating to an exponent

2 : involving a variable in an exponent

10^x is an exponential expression

3 : expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function; especially : characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase (as in size or extent)

an exponential growth rate

—

exponentially

play \ˌek-spə-ˈnen(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

See exponential defined for English-language learners

See exponential defined for kids

Examples of exponential in a Sentence

The business has experienced several years of exponential growth.
Prices have increased at an exponential rate.
10₃ is an exponential expression.

Recent Examples of exponential from the Web

That’s up from under 15% of overdoses involving fentanyl before 2013, an alarmingly exponential rate increase in only a few years.

— brittany shoot, Fortune, "Fentanyl Is Causing Almost Half of All Overdose Deaths, Research Shows," 2 July 2018
If the number of farmers markets is any indication, that growth is exponential: In the last 15 years, the nationwide number of farmers markets has nearly quintupled, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

— emily hopkins, Indianapolis Star, "'It opened the door for us': How Indiana's farmers markets help small farmers," 29 June 2018
John Middleton sold the cigar company in 2007 for $2.9 billion — at an exponential profit.

— bob fernandez, Philly.com, "Philly law firm Schnader Harrison, lawyer sued in Middleton brother-sister feud over billions," 26 June 2018
The 8086 paved the way for rapid, exponential progress in computer speed, capacity, and price-performance—all driven by fierce competition among hundreds of companies vying to improve the same thing.

— benj edwards, PCWorld, "Birth of a standard: The Intel 8086 microprocessor turns 40 today," 8 June 2018
But then opening a restaurant adds exponential chaos, with developing the menu, working with the architects on the floor plan, buying equipment, and sometimes helping find a chef.

— elyse inamine, Bon Appetit, "Anthony Falco Left Roberta’s. Now He’s an “International Pizza Consultant”," 31 May 2018
Though nearly every item that Markle has worn publicly since the start of her relationship with Prince Harry has sold out, her effect on the Mother jeans was exponential.

— lauren alexis fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle's Sold-Out Jeans Are Finally Back In Stock," 26 June 2018
EVs are about to ride up the S-curve into exponential growth.

— david roberts, Vox, "Trump might like dirty cars, but electric vehicles are coming anyway," 26 June 2018
Harris said the topic should be on the front pages every day until there’s a way to stop the ill effects of tech platforms exponential growth.

— daniel arkin, NBC News, "'Gotti' is a critical punching bag. The distributor says: Keep it coming," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exponential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of exponential

1704

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

EXPONENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

exponential

adjective

Definition of exponential for English Language Learners

: very fast : increasingly rapid
mathematics : including or using an exponent

Medical Dictionary

exponential

adjective ex·po·nen·tial \ ˌek-spə-ˈnen-chəl \

medical Definition of exponential

: expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function

an exponential growth rate

—

exponentially

play \-ˈnench-(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about exponential

See words that rhyme with exponential Spanish Central: Translation of exponential Nglish: Translation of exponential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of exponential for Arabic speakers

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exponential

Definition of exponential

exponentially

Examples of exponential in a Sentence

Recent Examples of exponential from the Web

First Known Use of exponential

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

EXPONENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

exponential

Definition of exponential for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

exponential

medical Definition of exponential

exponentially

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exponential

Definition of exponential

exponentially

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exponential

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exponential

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exponentially

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