algorithm means A collection of ordered steps that solve a mathematical problem. A precise step-by-step plan for a computational procedure that possibly begins with an input value and yields an output value in a finite number of steps.
algorithm is pronounced /ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/.
Why “algorithm” is a great word
A precise step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or performing a computation in a finite number of steps. From French algorithme, from Medieval Latin algorithmus, a corrupted transliteration of the name of the 9th-century Persian mathematician Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī, meaning 'the native of Khwārazm'. Unlike a heuristic, which is an intuitive shortcut, or a formula, which is a static rule, an algorithm is a replicable process, a chain of cold logic designed for execution. It is the mechanical sorting of a deck of cards, the remorseless pathfinding of a search engine crawl, the silent, iterative decision of a thermostat adjusting the heat—a tiny, perfect engine of if-then, reducing the chaotic to the computable.
noun
- A collection of ordered steps that solve a mathematical problem. A precise step-by-step plan for a computational procedure that possibly begins with an input value and yields an output value in a finite number of steps.
- A flowchart illustrating a decision-making process for human users, especially health care professionals.
- Calculation with Arabic numerals; algorism.
- recommender systems and the curation of feeds; software that makes content display determinations on a platform, in totality of effect upon all end users (within a potential audience).
- recommender systems and the curation of feeds; the influenced zeitgeist: e.g. what content ends up trending or viral, what persons become a main character or cancellede.g.“Glover began his acceptance speech by saying, “First, I want to thank the great algorithm that put us all here.””
- recommender systems and the curation of feeds; the actual personalized selections of content seen by specific user(s), the microtargeting to which they are subjecte.g.“… you and I probably didn't run across that in our algorithm, but that doesn't mean that a lot of people aren't gonna run across garbage like that in their algorithms in the next couple weeks…”
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.