random number

[ran-duhm nuhm-ber]

noun

Statistics.

1. a number chosen by a random sampling, as from a table random number table or produced by a random number generator.

Word History and Origins

Origin of random number¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

PPB had said that the outcome was determined by a random number generator, which had said she had only won the daily jackpot, but an error affected the animations of the game and showed her the wrong result.

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The judge found that the result from the random number generator was different from the result on screen due to human error in mapping the software, which had affected 14 plays over 48 days.

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When Donovan Shears sent a text message to a random number in 1998, it changed the course of his life.

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He made up a random number and sent off a message saying "hello", to which his future wife Kirsty wrote back "hi".

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Her winning numbers were chosen via a combination of birthdays, birth years and a random number.

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