trigonometric function

noun

1

: a function (such as the sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, or cosecant) of an arc or angle most simply expressed in terms of the ratios of pairs of sides of a right-angled triangle

called also circular function

2

: the inverse (such as the arcsine, arccosine, or arctangent) of a trigonometric function

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Spacecraft software demands sophisticated mathematical programming, full of matrix operations, trigonometric functions, and multiple precision variables. Frank O’brien, Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

trigonometric function

noun

: any of a group of functions (as the sine, cosine, and tangent) that for an acute angle are most easily expressed as ratios between the sides of a right triangle containing the angle