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Definition of sine

sine

/saɪn/
sine
Adverb:sinusoidally
•
Plural:sines
•
Adjective:sinusoidal
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sine Lexical Profile

sine Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The trigonometric function that, for a given acute angle in a right-angled triangle, is equal to the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse.

Example

"To calculate the height of the tower, the students multiplied the length of the diagonal wire by the sine of the angle of elevation."

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse the mathematical term "sine" with its common homophone "sign"; in trigonometric notation, "sine" is abbreviated as "sin" (which is still pronounced like "sine").

• Rhymes for sine

• Nearby Words

sincereness
sincerity
sinclair
sine
sinew
sinewy
sinful

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Medieval Latin sinus ('fold' or 'bay'), which was a mistranslation of Arabic jayb ('fold of a garment'), itself an adaptation of the Sanskrit mathematical term jya-ardha ('half-chord').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sine. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sine
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