lemma

1 of 2

noun (1)

lem·​ma ˈle-mə 

plural lemmas or lemmata ˈle-mə-tə 

1

: an auxiliary proposition used in the demonstration of another proposition

2

: the argument or theme of a composition prefixed as a title or introduction

also : the heading or theme of a comment or note on a text

3

: a glossed word or phrase

lemma

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the lower of the two bracts enclosing the flower in the spikelet of grasses

Examples of lemma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Within each section, Tao identified the sequence of lemmas and definitions that needed to be formalized. —Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026

In the team’s internal tests prior to posting the first round’s 10 lemmas, even the best publicly available models were only able to prove two. —Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin, from Greek lēmma thing taken, assumption, from lambanein to take — more at latch

Noun (2)

Greek, husk, from lepein to peel — more at leper

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1906, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lemma

• Zorn's lemma

Rhymes for lemma

• emma
• gemma
• angioedema
• dilemma
• oedema
• lymphedema
• papilledema
• plasmalemma
• sarcolemma