right triangle

noun

: a triangle having a right angle see triangle illustration

Examples of right triangle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the early 1990s, Fred Holt at the University of Washington and Gregory Galperin and his collaborators at Moscow State University independently showed that every right triangle has periodic orbits. Quanta Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 The space is also composed of simple geometric forms: two terraces and a patio are shaped like half circles, and rooms in one wing end on the 45-degree angles of right triangles, giving pointed views. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Aug. 2023 Leo’s hindquarters are marked by a right triangle, whose eastern apex is marked by the star Denebola. Geoff Chester, Washington Post, 1 June 2023 These functions, such as the sine and cosine, are defined using right triangles. Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 Simply stated as a2 + b2 = c2, the theorem posits that the sum of the two shortest sides of a right triangle (a2 and b2) is equal to that triangle’s longest side (c2). Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 31 Mar. 2023 In this equation, a, b and c represent the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle, a triangle with a 90-degree angle between two of its sides. Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 The Pythagorean theorem provides an equation to calculate the longer side of a right triangle by summing the squares of the other two sides. Leila Sloman, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 If your trig is hazy, just remember that all trig functions tell us about the ratio of sides for right triangles. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'right triangle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of right triangle was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near right triangle

Cite this Entry

“Right triangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right%20triangle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

right triangle

noun
: a triangle having a right angle

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