theorem

noun

the·​o·​rem ˈthē-ə-rəm 

ˈthir-əm

1

: a formula, proposition, or statement in mathematics or logic deduced or to be deduced from other formulas or propositions

2

: an idea accepted or proposed as a demonstrable truth often as a part of a general theory : proposition

the theorem that the best defense is offense

3

: stencil

4

: a painting produced especially on velvet by the use of stencils for each color

theorematic

ˌthē-ə-rə-ˈma-tik 

ˌthir-ə-

adjective

Examples of theorem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some argued that a machine would beat the world chess champion and discover its own mathematical theorem within a decade. —Cade Metz, New York Times, 16 May 2025

The kinds of theorems that mathematicians really cared about required too much complexity and creativity. —Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

Notable theories include the Modigliani-Miller theorem, the trade-off theory and the pecking order theory. —Sunayana Gutta, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

The dream is to eventually be able to ask such a program, in plain language, about a rare disease or unproven theorem and receive transformative insights. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin theorema, from Greek theōrēma, from theōrein to look at, from theōros spectator, from thea act of seeing — more at theater entry 1

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing theorem

• Bayes's theorem
• Bayes theorem
• binomial theorem
• central limit theorem
• DeMoivre's theorem
• Fermat's last theorem
• Fourier's theorem
• Godel's theorem
• Jordan curve theorem
• mean value theorem
• Pythagorean theorem
• remainder theorem
• Rolle's theorem

Rhymes for theorem

• variorum
• antiserum
• serum
• thiram

Kids Definition

theorem

noun

the·​o·​rem ˈthē-ə-rəm 

ˈthi(-ə)r-əm

1

: a formula, proposition, or statement in mathematics or logic that has been or is to be proved from other formulas or propositions

2

: an idea accepted or proposed as a demonstrable truth