square root

noun

: a factor of a number that when squared gives the number
the square root of 9 is ±3

Examples of square root in a Sentence

The square root of 9 is 3.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Specifically, when calculating polls' average error, polls are weighted by one over the square root of the number of polls that their pollster conducted for that particular type of election in that particular cycle. Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024 Miami has the most salad shops and juice and smoothie bars (per square root of population). Gary Stoller, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Remarkably, the rudimentary tools that the ancient Greeks used to draw their geometric diagrams perfectly match the natural operations of modern-day algebra: addition (+), subtraction (–), multiplication (x), division (/) and taking square roots (√). Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024 The modern notation for square roots came into use in the 16th and 17th centuries. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 21 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for square root 

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of square root was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near square root

Cite this Entry

“Square root.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/square%20root. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

square root

noun
: a number that when squared equals a specified number
+3 and -3 are both a square root of 9

More from Merriam-Webster on square root

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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