Meaning & use

binomial

noun·Academic

(math) An algebraic expression consisting of two terms connected by a plus or minus sign.

See it in a sentence

In algebra class, we learned to expand the binomial (x + y) squared.

The formula for a binomial like (a - b) squared expands into three terms.

A note on using this word

In statistics, 'binomial' also describes a distribution with exactly two possible outcomes, like success or failure.

Words with a similar meaning

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Another way to use it

2. adjective

Relating to a two-part scientific naming system that gives each species a genus and species name.

Under binomial nomenclature, humans are classified as Homo sapiens.

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