mathematical

adjective

math·​e·​mat·​i·​cal ˌmath-ˈma-ti-kəl How to pronounce mathematical (audio)
ˌma-thə-
variants or less commonly mathematic
ˌmath-ˈma-tik How to pronounce mathematical (audio)
ˌma-thə-
1
: of, relating to, or according with mathematics
2
a
: rigorously exact : precise
b
3
: possible but highly improbable
only a mathematical chance
mathematically adverb

Examples of mathematical in a Sentence

They recorded the changes with mathematical precision. The team has only a mathematical chance of making the play-offs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The study offers insight into the mathematical limits of evolution, and could help identify fundamental mechanisms that limit life’s topology. Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025 Cosmologists and mathematical physicists often seek ways to circumvent the theorem, looking to quantum gravity (or other non-standard scenarios) to break us out of the requirements that general relativity imposes. Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025 Earlier this year, similar mathematical models flagged unusual betting on individual pitches thrown by Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Louis Ortiz. Dian Zhang, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 That’s because cutting-edge encryption shrouds information behind mathematical problems (such as factoring enormous numbers) that are conjectured to be unsolvable in any practical amount of time. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mathematical

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mathematicalle, from Latin mathematicus, from Greek mathēmatikos, from mathēmat-, mathēma learning, mathematics, from manthanein to learn; probably akin to Goth mundon to pay attention

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mathematical was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Mathematical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mathematical. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

mathematical

adjective
math·​e·​mat·​i·​cal ˌmath-ə-ˈmat-i-kəl How to pronounce mathematical (audio)
math-ˈmat-
1
: of, relating to, or according with mathematics
2
: very exact
mathematical precision
mathematically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on mathematical

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