parabola

noun

pa·rab·o·la pə-ˈra-bə-lə

: a plane curve generated by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line : the intersection of a right circular cone with a plane parallel to an element of the cone

: something bowl-shaped (such as an antenna or microphone reflector)

Examples of parabola 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.

The combination of doing the parabola every day and the drugs — my dreams were just insane. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 With the extra time to throw, though, Daniels was able to throw a parabola rather than a line drive, allowing everyone involved the chance to jump up after the ball. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Wallmakers built the structure with four hyperbolic parabolas supported by just four footings. — Stefan Ionescu may 20, New Atlas, 20 May 2026 Food and drink While many hoteliers rhapsodize about their estate-to-plate dishes, The Newt puts its guests right in the heart of the garden, in its café overlooking the parabola. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for parabola

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Greek parabolḗ "juxtaposition, placement of a figure in contact with another, parabola" — more at parable

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of parabola was in 1575

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

parablepsia

parabola

parabolanus

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Parabola.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parabola. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

parabola

noun

pa·rab·o·la pə-ˈrab-ə-lə

: a curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to a straight line in its surface : a curve formed by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line

: something that is bowl-shaped

parabolic

ˌpar-ə-ˈbäl-ik

adjective

parabola

noun

Illustration of parabola

Examples of parabola in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on parabola

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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 (-)

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes