heuristics

British

/ hjʊəˈrɪstɪks /

noun

(functioning as singular) maths logic a method or set of rules for solving problems other than by algorithm See also algorithm artificial intelligence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Heuristics is the fancy term for the human readiness to shove phenomena into categories into which they don’t quite fit, mainly to economize on mental effort.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Heuristics mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that provide a method of problem-solving that is not necessarily optimal but is efficient.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

They presented initial findings in a 1974 paper, "Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases."

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2022

Heuristics: This factor is comprised of the appearance of a “like button,” attractive graphics, and professional design.

From Scientific American • Sep. 11, 2012

Heuristics and maieutics, as methods of questioning human choices, those of craftsmen included, and generating new options, are essentially oral.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023