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

As a result, proving that there are few exceptions to the Riemann hypothesis is equivalent to showing that the Dirichlet polynomial cannot get large too often. —Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2024

These smaller polynomials, known as irreducible polynomials, are the prime numbers of the polynomial world. —Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2024

Adjective

So the polynomial in example A corresponds to the number 5, since its coefficients, 0101, are the number 5 written in binary, and the polynomial in example B corresponds to the number 14, since 1110 is the number 14 written in binary. —Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2024

And moreover, for the largest problems, polynomial is not enough. —IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2014

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

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