binomial

noun

bi·​no·​mi·​al bī-ˈnō-mē-əl 

1

: a mathematical expression consisting of two terms connected by a plus sign or minus sign

2

: a biological species name consisting of two terms

binomial adjective

binomially

bī-ˈnō-mē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of binomial in a Sentence

the binomial a + b

Recent Examples on the Web

She is credited with naming and cataloging hundreds of native plants in the Hudson River Valley using Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus’ then-new binomial system of botanical nomenclature. —Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024

The watermelons grown in the United States were soon subsumed under the same Latin binomial. —Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2021

Before binomials, names of plants in books were lists or strings of words that formed a kind of nuanced description. —James Prosek, New York Times, 16 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin binomium, from Medieval Latin, neuter of binomius having two names, alteration of Latin binominis, from bi- + nomin-, nomen name — more at name

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing binomial

• binomial coefficient
• binomial distribution
• binomial nomenclature
• binomial theorem

Kids Definition

binomial

noun

bi·​no·​mi·​al bī-ˈnō-mē-əl 

1

: a mathematical expression consisting of two terms connected by a plus sign or minus sign

2

: a biological species name consisting of two terms according to the system of binomial nomenclature

binomial adjective

binomially

-mē-ə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

binomial

noun

bi·​no·​mi·​al bī-ˈnō-mē-əl 

: a biological species name consisting of two terms

binomial adjective