randomize

American  

[ran-duh-mahyz] / ˈræn dəˌmaɪz /

especially British, randomise

verb (used with object)

randomized, randomizing

1. to order or select in a random manner, as in a sample or experiment, especially in order to reduce bias and interference caused by irrelevant variables; make random.

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randomize British  

/ ˈrændəˌmaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to set up (a selection process, sample, etc) in a deliberately random way in order to enhance the statistical validity of any results obtained

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Other Word Forms

• randomization noun
• randomizer noun

Etymology

Origin of randomize

First recorded in 1925–30; random + -ize

Explanation

To randomize is to arrange something in an irregular or haphazard order. If your math teacher randomizes the questions on a quiz, each student will get a different set of problems to solve, in a different order. If you disorder any group so that it is random, and you randomize it. The way to randomize the cards in a deck is to shuffle it well; each card in the deck is in its place by pure chance. And if you want to randomize your book collection, just put the books on the shelf anywhere, rather than in alphabetical order or grouped by subject.

Example Sentences

All the research on whether fluoride in water is associated with IQ is observational, because you can’t really randomize people to drink fluoridated water, at least over any kind of span of time.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2025

This study did not randomize participants, and people knew which group they had been placed in.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2024

We have to know whether we can even randomize people to a control arm, which is just standard of care.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 22, 2022

A person at CNN told The Associated Press that name was Buttigieg’s, but it could have been any candidate because the names automatically randomize after every call.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2020

You might be able to take one single bit of data out that way, but to jerk out a whole body of knowledge like this would completely randomize his circuits.

From Unwise Child by Garrett, Randall