algebra

noun

al·​ge·​bra ˈal-jə-brə How to pronounce algebra (audio)
1
: a generalization of arithmetic in which letters representing numbers are combined according to the rules of arithmetic
2
: any of various systems or branches of mathematics or logic concerned with the properties and relationships of abstract entities (such as complex numbers, matrices, sets, vectors, groups, rings, or fields) manipulated in symbolic form under operations often analogous to those of arithmetic compare boolean algebra
algebraist noun

Examples of algebra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But less than 60% of Edgewater students passed the state’s language arts exams and less than 50% passed Florida’s algebra and geometry tests. Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025 Things like algebra used to be considered esoteric. NBC news, 6 July 2025 The president also went after Harvard for recently introducing an introductory to math course to address issues among students with foundational algebra skills. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 23 May 2025 While the competition is aimed at pre-university mathematicians, the questions require critical thinking and an understanding of multiple mathematical disciplines, including algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for algebra

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-jabr, literally, the reduction

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of algebra was in 1551

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Algebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/algebra. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

algebra

noun
al·​ge·​bra ˈal-jə-brə How to pronounce algebra (audio)
: a branch of mathematics that uses letters to represent numbers and that studies numbers and the operations (as multiplication and addition) that are used on them
algebraic
ˌal-jə-ˈbrā-ik
adjective
algebraically
-ˈbrā-ə-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on algebra

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