arithmetic
noun
arith·me·ticə-ˈrith-mə-ˌtik 
1
a
:a branch of mathematics that deals usually with the nonnegative real numbers including sometimes the transfinite cardinals and with the application of the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to them
b
:a treatise on arithmetic
Synonyms ofarithmetic
Examples ofarithmetic in a Sentence
a software program that will do thearithmetic for you I haven't actually done thearithmetic yet, but I suspect we're losing money on the deal.
Recent Examples on the WebThe administration’s tariff policy is driven by fiscalarithmetic rather than strategic calculus.—
Lael Brainard,Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025Excess Burghers became a fixture of imperial life, the answer to a chronic social problem, the unfortunate result of simplearithmetic.—George Packer,The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025Simplearithmetic such as 355/113 could be calculated in place by selecting the text and pressing USE FRONT-CALC (Control-G), which yields the answer with a dotted underline to indicate the result of a computation.—Cameron Kaiser,ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025Thearithmetic of the French National Assembly – the key hurdle to getting any budget passed – hasn’t changed with a new prime minister.—Joseph Ataman,CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025See All Example Sentences forarithmetic
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.
Lael Brainard,Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025Excess Burghers became a fixture of imperial life, the answer to a chronic social problem, the unfortunate result of simplearithmetic.—George Packer,The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025Simplearithmetic such as 355/113 could be calculated in place by selecting the text and pressing USE FRONT-CALC (Control-G), which yields the answer with a dotted underline to indicate the result of a computation.—Cameron Kaiser,ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025Thearithmetic of the French National Assembly – the key hurdle to getting any budget passed – hasn’t changed with a new prime minister.—Joseph Ataman,CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025See All Example Sentences forarithmeticWord History
Etymology
Middle Englisharsmetrik, from Anglo-Frencharismatike, from Latinarithmetica, from Greekarithmētikē, from feminine ofarithmētikos arithmetical, fromarithmein to count, fromarithmos number; akin to Old Englishrīm number, and perhaps to Greekarariskein to fit
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined atsense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use ofarithmetic was in the 15th centuryPhrases Containingarithmetic
Rhymes forarithmetic
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Cite this Entry
“Arithmetic.”Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arithmetic. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
arithmetic
nounarith·me·ticə-ˈrith-mə-ˌtik
1
:a branch of mathematics that deals with real numbers and their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
2
:an act or method of computing
More from Merriam-Webster onarithmetic
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Britannica.com:Encyclopedia article aboutarithmetic
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