# math

Pronunciation: say "MATH" /mæθ/

## Noun

1. Short for mathematics: the study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and the relationships between them. *(Canada, Philippines, US)* — Clipping of mathematics.
   - Simple: Short for mathematics: the study of numbers, amounts, and shapes.
   - _He earned a degree in math before switching to finance._
   - _Modern cryptography relies on math developed centuries ago._
2. Arithmetic calculations; the figuring with numbers behind a total, estimate, or conclusion. *(colloquial, Canada, Philippines, US)*
   - Simple: Working with numbers to find a total or check an answer.
   - _If you do the math, driving costs more than flying for this trip._
   - _I checked the math on the bill and found we had been overcharged._
4. Short for matha: a Hindu or Jain monastery, where monks live, study, and teach under a spiritual leader. — Clipping of matha. (pronounced: say "MUT" /mʌt/)
   - Simple: Short for matha: a Hindu or Jain monastery where monks live and study.
   - _Pilgrims stopped at the math to receive the guru's blessing._
   - _The math has trained Sanskrit scholars for over three centuries._

## Verb

3. To work something out with numbers; also, of figures or an argument, to add up or make sense, as in 'the numbers don't math'. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: To do sums, or (of numbers or ideas) to add up and make sense.
   - _Let me math real quick before I tell you whether the budget covers it._
   - _She sat at the kitchen table, mathing her way through the loan paperwork._

## Other meanings

- (noun) A mowing of grass or hay, or the crop gathered from a single mowing.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–3** — A clipping of "mathematics."
**Meaning 4** — A contraction of "matha."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/math (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).