algorithm

American  

[al-guh-rith-uhm] / ˈæl gəˌrɪð əm /

noun

• algorithms
  plural

1. 

   Mathematics. a set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, such as the Euclidean algorithm for finding the greatest common divisor.

2. Computers. an ordered set of instructions recursively applied to transform data input into processed data output, such as a mathematical solution, search engine result, descriptive statistics, or predictive text suggestions.

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algorithm British  

/ ˈælɡəˌrɪðəm /

noun

1. a logical arithmetical or computational procedure that if correctly applied ensures the solution of a problem Compare heuristic

2. logic maths a recursive procedure whereby an infinite sequence of terms can be generated

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algorithm Scientific  

/ ăl′gə-rĭth′əm /

1. A finite set of unambiguous instructions performed in a prescribed sequence to achieve a goal, especially a mathematical rule or procedure used to compute a desired result. Algorithms are the basis for most computer programming.

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algorithm Cultural  

1. A set of instructions for solving a problem, especially on a computer. An algorithm for finding your total grocery bill, for example, would direct you to add up the costs of individual items to find the total.

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Usage

What is an algorithm? An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules that can be followed to solve a problem. Algorithms are most commonly used in mathematics and computing, and they can often be very complex or have many steps or sets of instructions. For example, your teacher asks you to add 537 and 162. You might solve the problem by lining up 162 under 537 and adding the columns of numbers together. You add the 7 and 2 in the ones column to get 9, Next, you add the numbers in the tens column (3 and 6) to get 9. Finally, you add 5 and 1 in the hundreds column and get 6. Your answer, then, is 699. You have followed an addition algorithm to find the solution. In computing, a computer coder will create a set of instructions (the algorithm) that a computer or artificial intelligence will use to solve a problem or will consult in order to achieve a goal. Let’s say you spend the day watching Star Wars videos on YouTube. With each video you watch, the website will recommend other videos it thinks you will like. How does it know what you like? It runs an algorithm that finds videos that are similar to the ones you’ve already watched. If Darth Vader shows up in a video of a car commercial, YouTube will likely recommend it to you to watch because Vader was in a lot of the Star Wars videos you’ve already watched.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• algorithmic
  adjective
• algorithmically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• algorithms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of algorithm

First recorded in 1690–1700; variant of algorism ( def. ), by association with Greek arithmós “number”; see arithmetic ( def. )

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Explanation

Whether you are doing simple multiplication or a complicated calculus problem, you must use a predetermined set of rules, called an algorithm, to solve it. An algorithm includes a finite number of steps to solve any given problem. The word algorithm has an unusual backstory. It seems the 9th Century Persian mathematician Al-Khwārizmī wrote about calculations, and when his work was translated into Latin 300 years later, his name was somehow incorporated into the name of the process as Algoritmi. This got confused with the Greek word for number, arithmos, leading to the evolution of the word as we know it. It's a mish-mash, ironic for a word that stands for a rather rigid set of rules.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

algorithm algorithms

And it's a self-reinforcing loop; creators adapt their work as they seek out the attention the algorithm can provide.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

"The mind must not simply compile data -- as an algorithm now does more quickly than we can," the pontiff said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Mr. Sorkin attempts to dramatize this discussion via heavy use of charts and repeated invocations of a figure: 64% of those who joined extremist groups on Facebook were directed there by the platform’s own algorithm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Steffi Cao argues that we should be wary of the algorithm that incentivizes mindless scrolling, but there is nonetheless something charming about the wacky human storytelling that drives these videos.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

Anyone not logged in to the NeuroLink right now will use it before long, triggering this new algorithm the instant they do.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Countless others have stories of being confronted by social media content they didn't seek out, and didn't want to see – and there's long been suspicions the algorithms curating these platforms are harming users.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

These untamed mousers would eventually evolve into the fluffy tabbies, Siberians and ragdolls that dominate today’s social-media algorithms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The researchers also used computer algorithms to compare its skeletal features with those of other dinosaurs.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

There remains zero hard evidence that AI algorithms are sentient.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026

He also wrote a book about the Hindu numeral system, which allowed the new style of numbers to spread quickly through the Arab world—along with algorithms, the tricks for multiplying and dividing Hindu numerals quickly.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

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