conic section

noun

1
: a plane curve, line, pair of intersecting lines, or point that is the intersection of or bounds the intersection of a plane and a cone with two nappes
2
: a curve generated by a point which always moves so that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to its distance from a fixed line is constant

Illustration of conic section

Illustration of conic section
  • 1 straight lines
  • 2 circle
  • 3 ellipse
  • 4 parabola
  • 5 hyperbola

Examples of conic section in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Given one rational point P on such a graph, there is an elegant way to find all the other rational points: Simply take each line that passes through P with a rational slope, and calculate the line’s second intersection point with the conic section. Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2013 The graphs of such curves are the conic sections — circles, parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas. Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2013

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conic section was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near conic section

Cite this Entry

“Conic section.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conic%20section. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

conic section

noun
: a curve formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone

More from Merriam-Webster on conic section

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!