Cosecant Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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cosecant

noun

co·​se·​cant (ˌ)kō-ˈsē-ˌkant -kənt 1 : a trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the hypotenuse of a right triangle of which the angle is considered part and the leg opposite the angle 2 : a trigonometric function cosecant θ that is the reciprocal of the sine for all real numbers θ for which the sine is not zero and that is exactly equal to the cosecant of an angle of measure θ in radians

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cosecant-, cosecans, from co- + secant-, secans secant

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler The first known use of cosecant was circa 1706 See more words from the same year

Rhymes for cosecant

• confidante
• interplant
• sycophant
• ant
• aunt
• cant
• chant
• gant
• lant
• pant
• plant
• quant

See All Rhymes for cosecant

Browse Nearby Words

cosec cosecant coseism See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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“Cosecant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosecant. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

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