Zorn's lemma

proper noun

A proposition of set theory stating that every partially ordered set, in which every chain (i.e. totally ordered subset) has an upper bound, contains at least one maximal element.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. mathematicsA proposition of set theory stating that every partially ordered set, in which every chain (i.e. totally ordered subset) has an upper bound, contains at least one maximal element.

Origin

After Max August Zorn 1906-1993, German-born American mathematician. See German Zorn.

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Cite this entry
APA

Zorn's lemma. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Zorn's%20lemma

MLA

“Zorn's lemma.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Zorn's%20lemma. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Zorn's lemma,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Zorn's%20lemma.

Source: Zorn's lemma on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.