: a plane curve generated by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line : the intersection of a right circular cone with a plane parallel to an element of the cone
2
: something bowl-shaped (such as an antenna or microphone reflector)
Illustration of parabola
F fixed point
CD fixed line
x moving point
AB axis
xy distance from x to CD
pp′ parabola
Examples of parabola in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebTrump and his entourage stood to leave, his lips a parabola meeting the sides of his chin.—Graham Kates, CBS News, 31 May 2024 Then as far as each individual variable is concerned, the polynomial encoding the message traces out a simple parabola.—Michael Greshko, Quanta Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 What’s more, with many variables there are many such parabolas, any of which can be used to correct errors.—Michael Greshko, Quanta Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 The open kitchen reflects the same color scheme — gray pans hang from a gray wall next to a dark gray refrigerator — while more desk lamps cast parabolas of light on the walls.—Bill Wyman Anu Kumar, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for parabola
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parabola.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek parabolḗ "juxtaposition, placement of a figure in contact with another, parabola" — more at parable
: a curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to a straight line in its surface : a curve formed by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line
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