algebra

noun

al·​ge·​bra ˈal-jə-brə 

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

ˈal-jə-ˌbrā-ist 

noun

Examples of algebra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the time Alisa was 5, her dad was teaching her algebra. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 22 May 2025

So, there’s always this drive and counter reaction, either towards more algebra or more geometry. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 15 May 2025

Dropping algebra 1 and English as graduation requirements: Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, tried for a second time to delete the requirement that students pass algebra 1 and English exams to earn high school diplomas. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 May 2025

Andy Bednar did not go to Cornell to teach advanced algebra. —Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing algebra

• abstract algebra
• Boolean algebra
• linear algebra

Kids Definition

algebra

noun

al·​ge·​bra ˈal-jə-brə 

: 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