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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

the·o·rem       (thē'ər-əm, thîr'əm)  Pronunciation Key  n.   An idea that has been demonstrated as true or is assumed to be so demonstrable. Mathematics A proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions. [Late Latin theōrēma, from Greek, from theōrein, to look at, from theōros, spectator; see theory.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
theorem 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

theorem
noun
1.	a proposition deducible from basic postulates
2.	an idea accepted as a demonstrable truth

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

theorem       (thē'ər-əm, thîr'əm)  Pronunciation Key  A mathematical statement whose truth can be proved on the basis of a given set of axioms or assumptions.

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
theorem [(thee-uh-ruhm, theer-uhm)]

A statement in mathematics that is not a basic assumption, such as an axiom, but is deduced (see deduction) from basic assumptions.

[Chapter:] Physical Sciences and Mathematics

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

theorem the·o·rem (thē'ər-əm, thēr'əm)
n.

1. An idea that is demonstrably true or is assumed to be so.
2. A mathematical proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Theorem

The"o*rem\, n. [L. theorema, Gr. ? a sight, speculation, theory, theorem, fr. ? to look at, ? a spectator: cf. F. th['e]or[`e]me. See Theory.]

1. That which is considered and established as a principle; hence, sometimes, a rule.

Not theories, but theorems (?), the intelligible products of contemplation, intellectual objects in the mind, and of and for the mind exclusively. --Coleridge.

By the theorems, Which your polite and terser gallants practice, I re-refine the court, and civilize Their barbarous natures. --Massinger.

2. (Math.) A statement of a principle to be demonstrated.

Note: A theorem is something to be proved, and is thus distinguished from a problem, which is something to be solved. In analysis, the term is sometimes applied to a rule, especially a rule or statement of relations expressed in a formula or by symbols; as, the binomial theorem; Taylor's theorem. See the Note under Proposition, n., 5.

Binomial theorem. (Math.) See under Binomial.

Negative theorem, a theorem which expresses the impossibility of any assertion.

Particular theorem (Math.), a theorem which extends only to a particular quantity.

Theorem of Pappus. (Math.) See Centrobaric method, under Centrobaric.

Universal theorem (Math.), a theorem which extends to any quantity without restriction.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Theorem

The"o*rem\, v. t. To formulate into a theorem.