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

That is almost certainly something called Reed-Solomon error correction, which is very pretty stuff based on polynomials. —Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025

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

Adjective

The approach that started in 2001 with Spielman and Teng showed how runtimes can be reduced from exponential to polynomial time. —Quanta Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025

But more complex knot invariants can assign each knot a number, a polynomial or even a mathematical object called a group. —Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 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