parabola

noun

pa·​rab·​o·​la pə-ˈra-bə-lə 

1

: a plane curve generated by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line : the intersection of a right circular cone with a plane parallel to an element of the cone

2

: something bowl-shaped (such as an antenna or microphone reflector)

Illustration of parabola

• F fixed point
• CD fixed line
• x moving point
• AB axis
• xy distance from x to CD
• pp′ parabola

Examples of parabola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Navarro’s forehand is heavy, arcing and spitting out of the court, its parabola deceiving Gauff at a crucial moment. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 8 July 2024

On the first weightless parabola, my shoelaces came undone. —Nicola Twilley, WIRED, 11 Feb. 2020

The results surprised him: the parabola was no longer a lens, but at full opacity, a mirror. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2024

Your eye is a parabola that focuses light, funneling it to your brain. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek parabolḗ "juxtaposition, placement of a figure in contact with another, parabola" — more at parable

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

parabola

noun

pa·​rab·​o·​la pə-ˈrab-ə-lə 

1

: a curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to a straight line in its surface : a curve formed by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line

2

: something that is bowl-shaped

parabolic

ˌpar-ə-ˈbäl-ik

adjective