Boolean algebra

noun

An algebraic structure (Σ,∨,∧,∼,0,1) where ∨ and ∧ are idempotent binary operators, ∼ is a unary involutory operator (called "complement"), and 0 and 1 are nullary operators (i.e., constants), such that (Σ,∨,0) is a commutative monoid, (Σ,∧,1) is a commutative monoid, ∧ and ∨ distribute with respect to each other, and such that combining two complementary elements through one binary operator yields the identity of the other binary operator. (See Boolean algebra (structure)#Axiomatics.)

“A Boolean algebra is a De Morgan algebra which also satisfies the law of excluded middle and the law of noncontradiction.”

Meanings

nounBoolean algebra (plural Boolean algebras)

plural Boolean algebras

  1. algebraAn algebraic structure (Σ,∨,∧,∼,0,1) where ∨ and ∧ are idempotent binary operators, ∼ is a unary involutory operator (called "complement"), and 0 and 1 are nullary operators (i.e., constants), such that (Σ,∨,0) is a commutative monoid, (Σ,∧,1) is a commutative monoid, ∧ and ∨ distribute with respect to each other, and such that combining two complementary elements through one binary operator yields the identity of the other binary operator. (See Boolean algebra (structure)#Axiomatics.)

    A Boolean algebra is a De Morgan algebra which also satisfies the law of excluded middle and the law of noncontradiction.

    1 more example

    The set of divisors of 30, with binary operators: g.c.d. and l.c.m., unary operator: division into 30, and identity elements: 1 and 30, forms a Boolean algebra.

  2. algebraSpecifically, an algebra in which all elements can take only one of two values (typically 0 and 1, or "true" and "false") and are subject to operations based on AND, OR and NOT

    Synonyms: switching algebra

  3. mathematicsThe study of such algebras; Boolean logic, classical logic.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSpecifically, an algebra in which all elements can take only one of two values (typically 0 and 1, or "true" and "false") and are subject to operations based on AND, OR and NOT

Narrower
complete Boolean algebra

More synonyms by meaning

nouna system of symbolic logic devised by George Boole; used in computers

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Named after George Boole (1815–1864), an English mathematician, educator, philosopher and logician.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian Булева алгебра
  • Булева алгебраalgebraic structure
Chinese Mandarin 布爾代數 /布尔代数
  • 布爾代數 /布尔代数 (Bù'ěr dàishù)algebraic structure
Czech Booleova algebra, booleovská algebra
  • Booleova algebraalgebraic structure
  • booleovská algebraalgebraic structure
French algèbre de Boole, algèbre booléenne
  • algèbre de Boolealgebraic structure
  • algèbre booléennealgebraic structure
German boolesche Algebra
  • boolesche Algebraalgebraic structure
Hungarian Boole-algebra
  • Boole-algebraalgebraic structure
Italian algebra booleana, reticolo booleano
  • algebra booleanaalgebraic structure
  • reticolo booleanoalgebraic structure
  • algebra di Boolealgebraic structure
Japanese ブール代数
  • ブール代数 (Būru-daisū)algebraic structure
Korean 불 대수, 부울 대수
  • 불 대수 (Bul daesu)algebraic structure
  • 부울 대수 (Buul daesu)algebraic structure
Polish algebra Boole'a
  • algebra Boole'aalgebraic structure
Romanian algebră booleană
  • algebră booleanăalgebraic structure
Russian бу́лева а́лгебра
  • бу́лева а́лгебра (búleva álgebra)algebraic structure
Swedish Boolesk algebra
  • Boolesk algebraalgebraic structure
Cite this entry
APA

Boolean algebra. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Boolean%20algebra

MLA

“Boolean algebra.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Boolean%20algebra. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Boolean algebra,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Boolean%20algebra.

Source: Boolean algebra on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.