primality

noun

pri·​mal·​i·​ty prī-ˈma-lə-tē How to pronounce primality (audio)
: the property of being a prime number

Examples of primality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rahul Santhanam, University of Oxford The first primality tests using randomized algorithms (based on refinements to Fermat’s little theorem) ushered in a new era. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023 It’s fundamental to primality testing methods, and all the cryptology that goes with that. Dave Linkletter, Popular Mechanics, 28 Jan. 2022 Finding prime numbers is well-studied, and in this case Gedanke used a method called Baillie-PSW primality testing. Dave Linkletter, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2019 As numbers get bigger, the list of numbers that could divide them grows longer — there are more ways primality can fail in big numbers than in small numbers. Quanta Magazine, 10 Dec. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primality was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near primality

Cite this Entry

“Primality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primality. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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