information theory

noun

1. the mathematical theory concerned with the content, transmission, storage, and retrieval of information, usually in the form of messages or data, and especially by means of computers.

information theory

noun

1. a collection of mathematical theories, based on statistics, concerned with methods of coding, transmitting, storing, retrieving, and decoding information

information theory

1. A branch of mathematics that mathematically defines and analyzes the concept of information. Information theory involves statistics and probability theory, and applications include the design of systems that have to do with data transmission, encryption, compression, and other information processing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of information theory¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The first was by the American mathematician Claude Shannon, regarded as the founder of information theory.

From Quanta Magazine

I have another bright idea on something related to quantum information theory.

From Quanta Magazine

Armed with information theory, some researchers found objective criteria for defining degrees of individuality in organisms.

From Quanta Magazine

While this is a theory of communication, it is, at the same time, a theory of how information is produced and transferred — an information theory.

From Quanta Magazine

That research can be thought of in terms of information theory.

From Quanta Magazine

But information theory turned out to have applications far removed from communications systems.

From The Daily Beast

They are at once originators (emitters, as the information theory model considers them) and receivers.

From Project Gutenberg