cosine
nounUK /ˈkəʊ.saɪn/
US /ˈkoʊ.saɪn/
A math helper that tells you how wide an angle is by comparing two sides of a right triangle.
In trigonometry class, we used the cosine to find the missing angle of the triangle.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The ratio of the side next to an angle to the longest side in a right triangle.
The cosine of 60 degrees is 0.5.
3. A wave-shaped pattern used in math and physics to describe repeating motion.
The sound wave followed a smooth cosine curve.
4. A function on a calculator that gives the cosine of an angle.
Press the cosine button to solve the problem.