Thehypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is the side opposite its right angle.
[technical]
hypotenuse in British English
(haɪˈpɒtɪˌnjuːz)
noun
the side in a right-angled triangle that is opposite the right angle
Abbreviation: hyp
Word origin
C16: from Latin hypotēnūsa, from Greek hupoteinousa grammē subtending line, from hupoteinein to subtend, from hypo- + teinein to stretch
hypotenuse in American English
(haɪˈpɑtənˌus; haɪˈpɑtənˌjus)
noun
the longest side of a right triangle, located opposite the right angle
: also hyˈpothenuse (haɪˈpɑθɪˌnjus)
Word origin
L hypotenusa < Gr hypoteinousa, lit., subtending, properly fem. of prp. of hypoteinein, to subtend, stretch under < hypo-, under (see hypo-) + teinein, to stretch: see hypo- & thin
Examples of 'hypotenuse' in a sentence
hypotenuse
The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the other two sides squared.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
If the hypotenuse is 47 inches long, what is the degree of... I thought I could still smell Sophie's shampoo.
Jonah Black THE BLACK BOOK: DIARY OF A TEENAGE STUD VOL. IV: FASTER, FASTER, FASTER (2002)