Fourier transform

noun, Mathematics
1.
a mapping of a function, as a signal, that is defined in one domain, as space or time, into another domain, as wavelength or frequency, where the function is represented in terms of sines and cosines.
Origin
1920-25; see Fourier analysis
British Dictionary definitions for Fourier transform

Fourier transform

noun
1.
an integral transform, used in many branches of science, of the form F(x) = [1/√(2π)]ʃeixyf(y)dy, where the limits of integration are from –∞ to +∞ and the function F is the transform of the function f
Fourier transform in Technology

mathematics
A technique for expressing a waveform as a weighted sum of sines and cosines.
Computers generally rely on the version known as discrete Fourier transform.
Named after J. B. Joseph Fourier (1768 -- 1830).
See also wavelet, discrete cosine transform.
(1997-03-9)