polynomial

1 of 2

noun

poly·​no·​mi·​al ˌpä-lə-ˈnō-mē-əl 

: a mathematical expression of one or more algebraic terms each of which consists of a constant multiplied by one or more variables raised to a nonnegative integral power (such as a + bx + cx²)

polynomial

2 of 2

adjective

: relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials

polynomial functions

polynomial equations

Examples of polynomial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Enumerating all the different ways of breaking up this sequence into smaller sequences generates a mathematical expression—one of the special polynomials. —Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024

The shapes could be defined by polynomials—equations from high school math that sum up sequences of terms. —Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Specifically, critics said, there was no evidence supporting the authors’ claims of Schnorr’s algorithm achieving polynomial time, as opposed to the glacial pace of subexponential time achieved with classical algorithms. —Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024

In practical terms, an arc space provides an infinite collection of polynomial equations. —Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

poly- + -nomial (as in binomial)

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polynomial

• characteristic polynomial

Kids Definition

polynomial

1 of 2 noun

poly·​no·​mi·​al ˌpäl-i-ˈnō-mē-əl 

: an algebraic expression having two or more terms

the polynomial a² + 2ab − b²

polynomial

2 of 2 adjective

: relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials

7023 written as 7(10³) + 0(10²) + 2(10¹) + 3(10⁰) is in polynomial form