set theory

noun

: a branch of mathematics or of symbolic logic that deals with the nature and relations of sets
set theoretic adjective

Examples of set theory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Each has its own language, uniquely suited to exploring heady topics like set theory, topology, and astronomy. Grace Edquist, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024 But the viewer doesn’t need to know a thing about set theory to find her organization of lines and angles beautiful. Grace Edquist, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024 Zermelo introduced the axiom of choice because the eight axioms of the Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory were not powerful enough and could not be used to construct a selection function. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024 An Alternative Mathematics Some experts were therefore determined to reject the axiom of choice and instead work only with the eight fundamental truths of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024 The foundation of mathematics continues to rely on set theory. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2024 Causal set theory, another contender for a theory of quantum gravity, posits that space and time are made of more fundamental components as well. Adam Becker, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2022 The first person to harness this power was Georg Cantor, the founder of the mathematical subfield of set theory. WIRED, 29 Oct. 2023 Maggie Koerth-Baker on what Christian fundamentalists have against set theory. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of set theory was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near set theory

Cite this Entry

“Set theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20theory. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

set theory

noun
: a branch of mathematics that deals with sets and with relations between sets
set-theoretic
-ˌthē-ə-ˈret-ik
adjective

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