graph theory

noun

: a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of graphs

Examples of graph theory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In graph theory, a graph is essentially a collection of lines, or edges, and vertices, the points where edges meet. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025 But our main innovation was to think of traffic as a graph, from the mathematical field of graph theory. — Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025 For example, the fields of combinatorics (often described as the science of counting) and graph theory (the science of networks) tend to be highly concrete and visual. — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026 The Math Behind The Problem The logic is straightforward, rooted in graph theory. — Vitalii Dodonov, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for graph theory

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of graph theory was in 1947

Rhymes for graph theory

See All Rhymes for graph theory

Browse Nearby Words

graph paper
graph theory
-graphy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Graph theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graph%20theory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on graph theory

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about graph theory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All