What is the term used to describe the longest side of a right triangle?

In a right triangle, the longest side is referred to as the hypotenuse. This term is specifically used to denote the side opposite the right angle, which is always the longest side of the triangle. According to the Pythagorean theorem, in a right triangle where the lengths of the legs (the two shorter sides) are squared and added together, the result equals the square of the hypotenuse. This unique characteristic distinguishes the hypotenuse from the legs, which are the other two sides of the triangle. Understanding this term is essential in the study of geometry, particularly when solving problems related to right triangles.