1. the quality or state of not being linear; lack of a direct proportional relationship between variables
Usage: mathematics; science
2. the property of a system where the output is not directly proportional to the input
Usage: physics; engineering

Examples

• The nonlinearity of the equation made it difficult to solve analytically.
• Climate models must account for the nonlinearity of atmospheric systems.
• The circuit exhibited nonlinearity at high voltages.
• Economic growth often shows nonlinearity over time.
• The researcher studied the nonlinearity in population dynamics.
• Nonlinearity in the data suggested a more complex relationship between variables.