vertex

noun

ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks How to pronounce vertex (audio)
plural vertices ˈvər-tə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vertex (audio) also vertexes
1
: the top of the head
2
a
: the point opposite to and farthest from the base in a figure
b
: a point (as of an angle, polygon, polyhedron, graph, or network) that terminates a line or curve or comprises the intersection of two or more lines or curves
c
: a point where an axis of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola intersects the curve itself
3
: a principal or highest point : summit
the vertex of the hill

Examples of vertex 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.
Now look at the same two vertices, but for one of them, jump up to the vertex directly above it in the top graph. Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024 The third vertex is desolate Maher Island, off the coast of Antarctica. Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024 To represent this in two dimensions, again draw an equilateral triangle, followed by a circle centered around one of the triangle’s vertices, with a radius as long as each of the triangle’s legs. Max Springer, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2024 The ideal presentation is the cephalic or vertex position. Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vertex 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, top of the head, from Latin vertic-, vertex, vortic-, vortex whirl, whirlpool, top of the head, summit, from vertere to turn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vertex was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vertex

Cite this Entry

“Vertex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertex. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

vertex

noun
ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks How to pronounce vertex (audio)
plural vertices ˈvərt-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vertex (audio) also vertexes
1
: the point of a figure that is opposite to and farthest from its base
the vertex of a triangle
2
: the point where the two sides of an angle meet or where three or more edges of a polyhedron (as a cube) meet

Medical Definition

vertex

noun
ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks How to pronounce vertex (audio)
plural vertices ˈvərt-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vertex (audio) also vertexes
1
: the top of the head
2
: the highest point of the skull
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