vertex

noun

ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks How to pronounce vertex (audio)
plural vertices ˈvər-tə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vertex (audio) also vertexes
1
: the top of the head
2
a
: the point opposite to and farthest from the base in a figure
b
: a point (as of an angle, polygon, polyhedron, graph, or network) that terminates a line or curve or comprises the intersection of two or more lines or curves
c
: a point where an axis of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola intersects the curve itself
3
: a principal or highest point : summit
the vertex of the hill

Examples of vertex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The ideal presentation is the cephalic or vertex position. Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024 The presenting part, which is the part of the baby's body that is born first in a vaginal delivery, is usually the baby's head (known as vertex presentation). Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024 Their challenge was to extract an independent set using a large portion of vertices in the original graph. Quanta Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024 To find a periodic trajectory in an acute triangle, draw a perpendicular line from each vertex to the opposite side, as seen to the left, below. Quanta Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vertex 

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

Middle English, top of the head, from Latin vertic-, vertex, vortic-, vortex whirl, whirlpool, top of the head, summit, from vertere to turn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vertex was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vertex

Cite this Entry

“Vertex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertex. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

vertex

noun
ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks How to pronounce vertex (audio)
plural vertices ˈvərt-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vertex (audio) also vertexes
1
: the point of a figure that is opposite to and farthest from its base
the vertex of a triangle
2
: the point where the two sides of an angle meet or where three or more edges of a polyhedron (as a cube) meet

Medical Definition

vertex

noun
ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks How to pronounce vertex (audio)
plural vertices ˈvərt-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vertex (audio) also vertexes
1
: the top of the head
2
: the highest point of the skull
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