Algebra Definition

ăljə-brə

noun

A branch of mathematics in which symbols, usually letters of the alphabet, represent numbers or members of a specified set and are used to represent quantities and to express general relationships that hold for all members of the set.

American Heritage

A mathematical system using symbols, esp. letters, to generalize certain arithmetic operations and relationships (Ex.: x + y = x² represents a unique relationship between x and y, and has an infinite number of examples, as 3 + 6 = 9)

Webster's New World

A set together with a pair of binary operations defined on the set. Usually, the set and the operations simultaneously form both a ring and a module.

American Heritage

Any of various symbolic mathematical systems having formal rules of operation, defined relationships, finite processes, etc.

Boolean algebra.

Webster's New World

A textbook or treatise dealing with algebra.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Algebra

Noun

Singular:

algebra

Plural:

algebras

Origin of Algebra

Middle English bone-setting and Italian algebra both from Medieval Latin from Arabic al-jabr (wa-l-muqābala) the restoration (and the compensation), addition (and subtraction) al- the jabr bone-setting, restoration (from jabara to set (bones), force, restore gpr in Semitic roots)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Medieval Latin, from Arabic word الجبر (al-jabr, “reunion, resetting of broken parts”) in the title of al-Khwarizmi's influential work الكتاب المختصر في حساب الجبر والمقابلة (al-kitāb al-muxtaṣar fī ḥisāb al-jabr wa-l-muqābala, “The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing”).

From Wiktionary