polynomial

1 of 2

noun

poly·​no·​mi·​al ˌpä-lə-ˈnō-mē-əl 

: a mathematical expression of one or more algebraic terms each of which consists of a constant multiplied by one or more variables raised to a nonnegative integral power (such as a + bx + cx²)

polynomial

2 of 2

adjective

: relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials

polynomial functions

polynomial equations

Examples of polynomial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 1832, French mathematician Évariste Galois demonstrated how the mathematical symmetry behind the methods used to resolve lower-order polynomials became impossible for degree five and higher polynomials. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Enumerating all the different ways of breaking up this sequence into smaller sequences generates a mathematical expression—one of the special polynomials. —Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Higher order polynomial equations play a fundamental role in both math and science, assisting in everything from writing computer programs to describing the movement of planets. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Most people’s experiences with polynomial equations don’t extend much further than high school algebra and the quadratic formula. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

poly- + -nomial (as in binomial)

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polynomial

• characteristic polynomial

Rhymes for polynomial

• multinomial
• nosocomial
• binomial
• monomial
• trinomial

Kids Definition

polynomial

1 of 2 noun

poly·​no·​mi·​al ˌpäl-i-ˈnō-mē-əl 

: an algebraic expression having two or more terms

the polynomial a² + 2ab − b²

polynomial

2 of 2 adjective

: relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials

7023 written as 7(10³) + 0(10²) + 2(10¹) + 3(10⁰) is in polynomial form