prime number

noun

: any integer other than 0 or ± 1 that is not divisible without remainder by any other integers except ± 1 and ± the integer itself

Examples of prime number in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The dense text covered various ideas about cryptography, but Thompson (a former mathematics student) was particularly fascinated with a chapter about prime numbers, the crucial integers that make up the foundation of all computer and data coding. —Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025

Nevertheless, people have known since ancient times that infinite prime numbers exist, and the prime number twin conjecture states that there are an infinite number of prime number twins, as well. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 7 June 2024

And one of those 10 questions was if there is a pattern in prime numbers. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025

But 72 can also be written as a product of prime numbers, 2 2 2 3 3 — that is, as 23 32. —Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

translation of Late Latin prīmus numerus, translation of Greek prôtos arithmós

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prime number

• cumber
• lumber
• slumber
• umber
• encumber
• outnumber
• renumber

Kids Definition

prime number

noun

: a whole number other than 0 or ±1 that is not divisible without a remainder by any other whole numbers except ±1 and ± itself