trigonometry

/ˈtrɪgəˌnɑmətri/

/trɪgəˈnɒmətri/

Other forms: trigonometries

Trigonometry is the branch of math that focuses on triangles. A student who loves trigonometry may have a career as a mathematician in her future, or as a musician specializing in playing the triangle (just kidding).

When you take a trigonometry class, you'll spend a lot of time learning about the sides and angles of triangles and the functions and relationships of their measurements. You'll memorize many formulas and encounter words like sine and cosine as well. The noun trigonometry has been around for hundreds of years, ever since a sixteenth century mathematician coined it, from the Greek trigonon, "triangle" and metron, "a measure."

Definitions of trigonometry

1. noun

   the mathematics of triangles and trigonometric functions
   synonyms: trig

   types:

   spherical trigonometry

   (mathematics) the trigonometry of spherical triangles

   triangulation

   a trigonometric method of determining the position of a fixed point from the angles to it from two fixed points a known distance apart; useful in navigation

   type of:

   pure mathematics

   the branches of mathematics that study and develop the principles of mathematics for their own sake rather than for their immediate usefulness