# Chord of a circle

## Definition

A line segment that joins any two points on the circumference of the circle is called a chord of the circle.

The circumference of the circle consists of numerous points and any two points on the circumference of the circle can be joined by a line.

The line segment which connects both points is known as a chord of the circle.

### Example

$\overline{MN}$ is a line segment and it joins the two points $M$ and $N$ of circumference of the circle. Hence, the line segment $\overline{MN}$ is called a chord of the circle.

Similarly, $D$ and $E$ are two points on the circumference of the same circle but the two points are opposite points in the point view of the centre of the circle. The line which joins both points $D$ and $E$, is a chord of the circle and it also represents the diameter of the same circle.

Geometrically, the line which represents the diameter of a circle is a longest chord of the circle. So, the line segment $\overline{DE}$ is a longest chord of the circle in this case.