lemma

1 of 2

noun (1)

lem·​ma ˈle-mə 

plural lemmas or lemmata ˈle-mə-tə 

1

: a subordinate mathematical or logical proposition (see proposition sense 1c) used in the demonstration of another more complex 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