noun
Common
del
dehl
Del (noun) means the mathematical symbol (an inverted delta) used for the gradient, divergence, or curl operator in vector calculus. Example: “The del operator appears throughout the equations of electromagnetism.”
noun
1
The mathematical symbol (an inverted delta) used for the gradient, divergence, or curl operator in vector calculus.
"The del operator appears throughout the equations of electromagnetism."
"Students learn that del can be applied to a scalar field."
"The professor wrote del on the board before explaining the gradient."
How to use del
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA math symbol used in vector calculus to represent operations like gradient and divergence.
When to use it
A technical term found mainly in physics and advanced mathematics.
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Word forms
- Plural
- dels
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The _____ operator appears throughout the equations of electromagnetism.
Etymology
From "delta," since the symbol is an upside-down delta.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “del” mean?
The word “del” means the mathematical symbol (an inverted delta) used for the gradient, divergence, or curl operator in vector calculus. In plain terms, a math symbol used in vector calculus to represent operations like gradient and divergence.
How do you pronounce “del”?
“Del” is pronounced dehl (/dɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “del” in a sentence?
Here is “del” used in a sentence: “The del operator appears throughout the equations of electromagnetism.”
What is another word for “del”?
Words with a similar meaning to “del” include atled and nabla.
What part of speech is “del”?
“Del” is a noun.
Is “del” a common word?
“Del” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "del" and "delta"?
"Del" is the inverted-triangle symbol (∇) used as a vector differential operator in calculus, while "delta" is the Greek letter written as an upright triangle (Δ), commonly meaning "change in" a quantity. They look like flipped versions of each other but have different meanings.
What is the difference between "del" and "nabla"?
They name the same symbol (∇). "Nabla" is the name of the symbol itself, while "del" is the name mathematicians and physicists more often use when reading it in operations like "del f."
What operations use the "del" symbol?
The "del" operator is used to express the gradient of a scalar field, the divergence of a vector field, and the curl of a vector field. The way it is combined with a function — directly, with a dot, or with a cross — determines which of these it represents.
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