binomial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (mathematics) a quantity expressed as a sum or difference of two terms; a polynomial with two terms
  2. adjective of or relating to or consisting of two terms
    • binomial expression
  3. adjective satellite having or characterized by two names, especially those of genus and species in taxonomies
    binominal.
    • binomial nomenclature of bacteria

WordNet

Bi*no"mi*al noun
Etymology
L. bis twice + nomen name: cf. F. binome, LL. binomius (or fr. bi- + Gr. distribution ?). Cf. Monomial.
Definitions
  1. (Alg.) An expression consisting of two terms connected by the sign plus (+) or minus (-); as, a+b, or 7-3.
Bi*no"mi*al adjective
Definitions
  1. Consisting of two terms; pertaining to binomials; as, a binomial root.
  2. (Nat. Hist.) Having two names; -- used of the system by which every animal and plant receives two names, the one indicating the genus, the other the species, to which it belongs.

Webster 1913