exponent

noun

ex·po·nent ik-ˈspō-nənt

ˈek-ˌspō-

Synonyms of exponent next

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

: one that expounds or interprets

: 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.

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

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.

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 The man who became Lewis’s chief rival was in many ways his opposite: Stokely Carmichael, an erudite and provocative exponent of Black Power. —

Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Lyapunov exponent and survival time expectancy Jake Parks is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in covering science news. —

Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exponent