square root

noun

: a factor of a number that when squared gives the number
the square root of 9 is ±3

Examples of square root in a Sentence

The square root of 9 is 3.
Recent Examples on the Web So if a proof requires an intermediate step in which, for example, there are complex numbers that may contain square roots of negative values, programming languages specialized for geometry cannot be used. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2024 This changed once Gauss brought reciprocity into the realm of complex numbers, which add the square root of minus 1, represented by i, to ordinary numbers. Quanta Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023 Mathematicians say that the generalized Riemann hypothesis predicts that the primes’ level of distribution is at least 1/2, since another way to write the square root of N is as N1/2. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2023 We weight polls using a function that involves the square root of its sample size. G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2023 As n, the number of dimensions, grows, the sphere’s surface area increases in proportion to the square root of n. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 10 Feb. 2023 The generative AI would then be unable to get an answer to a question about a square root that someone might have entered into a prompt. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 July 2023 In their experiments, the researchers used a DNA computer made up of 30 logic gates with about 500 DNA strands to accurately find square roots. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2023 Although disappointing, Raz’s result also hinted at the existence of spherical cubes: shapes capable of tiling n-dimensional space with a surface area that scaled in proportion to the square root of n. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 10 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'square root.' 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

1557, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of square root was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near square root

Cite this Entry

“Square root.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/square%20root. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

square root

noun
: a number that when squared equals a specified number
+3 and -3 are both a square root of 9

More from Merriam-Webster on square root

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