irrational number

noun

: a number that can be expressed as an infinite decimal with no set of consecutive digits repeating itself indefinitely and that cannot be expressed as the quotient of two integers

Examples of irrational number in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pi is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation goes on infinitely without repeating. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

With what exactitude must, say, the square root of 2 (an irrational number that enters into many of the relevant quantum operations) be experimentally realized? —IEEE Spectrum, 15 Nov. 2018

Pi as a Rational Number So is there any number base in which pi is not an irrational number? —Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024

The notion that raising an irrational number to multiple powers could result in a number with no numbers after the decimal point may seem far-fetched at first. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irrational number

• cumber
• lumber
• slumber
• umber
• encumber
• outnumber
• renumber

Kids Definition

irrational number

noun

: a number (as √͞ 2) that cannot be expressed as the quotient of two whole numbers