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algorithm

algorithm

152 6.1
A set of steps a computer often follows to solve a problem
  • noun
  • /ˈælɡəˌrɪðəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : algoritmo
  • Understanding the algorithm behind the search engine can improve how you find information online.
  • use an algorithm
  • matching algorithm
  • search algorithm

And then I'm going to follow that algorithm perfectly.

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Examples

  • The software uses a complex algorithm to recommend movies based on your viewing history.

  • Simple machine learning algorithms, such as discriminant analysis, will enable us to extract features from data.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I do what the algorithm tells me will work.

  • In addition to image editing, our algorithm can be applied to other problems in image analysis and video.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And the question is how good are those algorithms for this kind of task?

  • We have presented a fast algorithm for finding good matches between patches in arbitrary images.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We then used our proprietary mathematical algorithm to search for your ten best fits.

  • So byte Dance creates algorithms that power the TikTok platform.

  • We can instead use our matching algorithm to match all patches across all scales and orientations.

    Academic text (2011)
  • To solve the puzzle efficiently, we implemented a new algorithm that reduced computation time.

Synonyms

procedure
vsalgorithm
  • Specialized
108 4.1

A part of a computer program that does a specific task

is a broader method of stepwise problem solving beyond single program tasks
algo
vsalgorithm
  • Jargon
3 7.9

A set of steps a computer follows to solve a problem

is the full formal term used in general contexts
algorithmic rule
vsalgorithm
  • Specialized
5.9

A clear step-by-step rule for solving a problem using math or a computer

is a general set of steps used broadly rather than only formal rules

Compounds

genetic algorithm
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A method that uses ideas from natural selection to find good solutions to hard problems

simplex algorithm
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A way to find the best solution of linear programming problems by checking corner points

sorting algorithm
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A set of steps a computer follows to put items in order

algorithm error
  • Specialized
5.4

A mistake in the steps a program uses that gives wrong results

stemming algorithm
  • Specialized
7.5

A computer method that removes word endings to find the base word

How Systematic

program
  • Specialized
3.1
algorithm
  • Specialized
152 6.1
procedure
688 3.7
instruction
455 1.2
tip
445 1.0

Surface Forms

algorithm singular
algorithms plural

Etymology

Algorithm comes from the name of a Persian mathematician, Al-Khwārizmī, whose writings showed clear ways to calculate and solve problems, and over time his name became the word for a set of rules. So, an algorithm today is like a 'recipe' — a list of 'steps' that a computer or a person follows to 'solve' a problem.