SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

unit circle

noun
Save Word

Definition of unit circle

: a circle having a radius of 1

Examples of unit circle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some may fall inside the unit circle, others right on it, and still others outside it. — Quanta Magazine, 14 May 2020 Since going a distance π takes you halfway around the unit circle, cos(π)=-1 and sin(π)=0, so eiπ=-1. — Lorenzo Sadun, Slate Magazine, 14 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unit circle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unit circle

1852, in the meaning defined above

Learn More About unit circle

Time Traveler for unit circle

Time Traveler

The first known use of unit circle was in 1852

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near unit circle

unit character

unit circle

unit class

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for unit circle

Cite this Entry

“Unit circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit%20circle. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

alleviate

Listen to the pronunciation of alleviate

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Words You Should Know

  • hedgehog reading a book
  • Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games