Meaning & use
line segment
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Meaning
nouncountablemathematics
In geometry, a straight part of a line that has two endpoints and a fixed length.
Grammar: Countable: a line segment, two line segments.
Patterns
- draw a line segment
- the length of a line segment
- a line segment from A to B
Draw a line segment connecting the two points.
The length of the line segment is 5 centimeters.
A line segment has two endpoints, unlike a line that goes on forever.
Word forms
| plural | line segments |
|---|
Common combinations
- length of a line segment
- Calculate the length of the line segment using the distance formula.
- draw a line segment
- Use a ruler to draw a line segment of 4 inches.
- endpoints of a line segment
- Label the endpoints of the line segment An and B.
Synonyms and how they differ
- segment
- Segment is the shorter, more general term; line segment is used in geometry to be precise.
Word family
- segment noun
- A part into which something is divided.
Commonly confused: line segment or line? line segment or ray?
line segment vs line
A line goes on forever in both directions; a line segment has two endpoints and a definite length.
line segment vs ray
A ray has one endpoint and goes on forever in one direction; a line segment has two endpoints.
Practice
What is the main difference between a line and a line segment?
Choose one answer.
A line segment is a finite straight part with two endpoints, while a line extends infinitely in both directions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “line segment”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.