exponent

noun

ex·​po·​nent ik-ˈspō-nənt  ˈek-ˌspō- 

1

: a symbol written above and to the right of a mathematical expression to indicate the operation of raising to a power

2

a

: one that expounds or interprets

b

: one that champions, practices, or exemplifies

Did you know?

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that exponent and proponent have a lot in common. While the two share visual similarities and closely related definitions, they also have a common ancestor: the Latin ponere, meaning “to put.” Exponent comes from exponere, meaning “to explain, expound, or set forth,” while proponent comes from proponere, meaning “to expose to view, bring to one’s attention, propose.” Today, proponent usually refers to someone who argues in favor of something. Exponent can also refer to someone who is an advocate, but it tends to refer especially to someone who stands out as a shining representative of something. In addition, it has kept its earlier meaning of “one who expounds,” as well as its mathematical symbol meaning.

Synonyms

• advocate
• advocator
• apostle
• backer
• booster
• champion
• expounder
• espouser
• friend
• gospeler
• gospeller
• herald
• hierophant
• high priest
• paladin
• promoter
• proponent
• protagonist
• supporter
• true believer
• tub-thumper
• white knight

Examples of exponent in a Sentence

She has become one of America's foremost exponents of the romantic style in interior design.

The exponent 3 in 10³ indicates 10 x 10 x 10.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most prominent exponent of this perspective is Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who in his declaration of war on Oct. 7, 2023, quoted the famous Bialik poem about Kishinev. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Banda Machos, perhaps the most significant exponent of Jalisco’s quebradita-style banda music, rotated onto the Beso stage in a dark green and neon frazzle variation of their signature costume. —Vicky Camarillo, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Mar. 2024

What is important is that the success that the new exponents have had has splashed and helped us, and that is very good for all of us. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024

The genus is a property related to the highest exponent in the polynomial equation describing the curve. —Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin exponent-, exponens, present participle of exponere — more at expose

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

exponent

noun

ex·​po·​nent ik-ˈspō-nənt  ˈek-ˌspō- 

1

: a symbol written above and to the right of a mathematical expression to mean raising that expression to the power of the symbol

in the expression a³, the exponent 3 indicates that a is to be raised to the third power

2

: a person who supports or favors a cause