right triangle

noun

: a triangle having a right angle see triangle illustration

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In this equation, a, b and c represent the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle, a triangle with a 90-degree angle between two of its sides. Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 The Pythagorean theorem provides an equation to calculate the longer side of a right triangle by summing the squares of the other two sides. Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 If your trig is hazy, just remember that all trig functions tell us about the ratio of sides for right triangles. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023 Now imagine that your right triangle has an angle that is constantly increasing. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023 That humble equation describing a right triangle led to the invention of coordinate geometry, an essential tool for mapping and measuring the planet. Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2012 Each Hirzebruch surface is obtained by chopping off the top corner of this right triangle. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022 Under the rules for creating these 2D pictures, a four-dimensional ball becomes a right triangle. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022 The former’s course is 0.64 miles and will be a compact right triangle with Massachusetts Ave. Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'right triangle.' 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

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of right triangle was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near right triangle

Cite this Entry

“Right triangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right%20triangle. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

right triangle

noun
: a triangle having a right angle

More from Merriam-Webster on right triangle

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