magic square

noun

1. a square containing integers arranged in an equal number of rows and columns so that the sum of the integers in any row, column, or diagonal is the same.

magic square

noun

1. a square array of rows of integers arranged so that the sum of the integers is the same when taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally

magic square

1. A square that contains numbers arranged in equal rows and columns such that the sum of each row, column, and sometimes diagonal is the same.

Word History and Origins

Origin of magic square¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

The work “is a beautiful and simple direct implementation of the Mermin-Peres magic square game,” says Arul Lakshminarayan of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, who was not involved in the experimental demonstration.

From Scientific American

You don’t go to the films of John Waters for a tidy three-act structure, and you don’t go to his essays for elements locking into place with the organizational splendor of a magic square.

From New York Times

The clue was a partially finished magic square.

From Literature

In a magic square, a grid was filled with a consecutive set of numbers so every row, column, and diagonal added up to the same number.

From Literature

And I decided it was a magic square after all, because it was going to bring my friend and me back together.

From Literature