Meanings
- uncountablemathematicsThe branch of mathematics that uses tools from abstract algebra to study topological spaces.
Although algebraic topology primarily uses algebra to study topological problems, using topology to solve algebraic problems is sometimes also possible.
3 more examples
The basic goal of algebraic topology is to find algebraic invariants that classify topological spaces up to homeomorphism, although most usually classify up to homotopy (homeomorphism being a special case of homotopy).
1969, Emil Artin, Hel Braun, Introduction to Algebraic Topology, C. E. Merrill Publishing Company, Professor Emil Artin lectured on algebraic topology during the winter semester of 1959–60.
The material in Chapters 7 (Obstruction Theory and Eilenberg-MacLane Spaces) and 8 (Bordism, Spectra, and Generalized Homology) introduces the student to the modern perspective in algebraic topology.
2001, James F. Davis, Paul Kirk, Lecture Notes in Algebraic Topology, American Mathematical Society, page xiiSynonyms: combinatorial topology
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe branch of mathematics that uses tools from abstract algebra to study topological spaces.
Translations
Finnish algebrallinen topologia
- algebrallinen topologiabranch of mathematics
German algebraische Topologie
- algebraische Topologiebranch of mathematics
Greek αλγεβρική τοπολογία
- αλγεβρική τοπολογία (algevrikí topología)branch of mathematics
Italian topologia algebrica
- topologia algebricabranch of mathematics
Polish topologia algebraiczna
- topologia algebraicznabranch of mathematics
Portuguese topologia algébrica
- topologia algébricabranch of mathematics
Russian алгебраическая топология
- алгебраическая топология (algebraičeskaja topologija)branch of mathematics
Cite this entry
algebraic topology. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/algebraic%20topology
“algebraic topology.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/algebraic%20topology. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “algebraic topology,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/algebraic%20topology.
Source: algebraic topology on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.