Illustration of hypotenuse
- ac hypotenuse
hypotenuse
noun
hy·pot·e·nuse
hī-ˈpä-tə-ˌnüs 
-ˌnyüz
variants
or less commonly hypothenuse
hī-ˈpä-thə-ˌnüs
-ˌnyüz
1
: the side of a right-angled triangle that is opposite the right angle
2
: the length of a hypotenuse
Examples of hypotenuse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vertical hypotenuse also goes straight through the arbor of the power reserve gauge.
—
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Start with a trajectory that’s at a right angle to the hypotenuse (the long side of the triangle).
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
In the second triangle, the unequal angles cause the fake hypotenuse to bend outside the true triangle’s hypotenuse.
—Mark Wolfmeyer, Popular Mechanics, 25 May 2022
Now measure the angle between the hypotenuse and the table.
—Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023
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Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Start with a trajectory that’s at a right angle to the hypotenuse (the long side of the triangle).
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
In the second triangle, the unequal angles cause the fake hypotenuse to bend outside the true triangle’s hypotenuse.
—Mark Wolfmeyer, Popular Mechanics, 25 May 2022
Now measure the angle between the hypotenuse and the table.
—Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for hypotenuse
Dictionary Entries Near hypotenuse
Cite this Entry
“Hypotenuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypotenuse. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypotenuse
noun
hy·pot·e·nuse
hī-ˈpät-ᵊn-ˌ(y)üs
-ˌ(y)üz
1
: the side opposite the right angle of a right triangle
2
: the length of a hypotenuse
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