stochastic

American  

[stuh-kas-tik] / stəˈkæs tɪk /

adjective

Statistics.

1. of or relating to a process involving a randomly determined sequence of observations each of which is considered as a sample of one element from a probability distribution.

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stochastic British  

/ stɒˈkæstɪk /

adjective

1. statistics

   1. (of a random variable) having a probability distribution, usually with finite variance

   2. (of a process) involving a random variable the successive values of which are not independent

   3. (of a matrix) square with non-negative elements that add to unity in each row

2. rare involving conjecture

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stochastic Scientific  

/ stō-kăs′tĭk /

1. Involving or containing a random variable or variables.

2. Involving chance or probability.

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Other Word Forms

• stochastically adverb

Etymology

Origin of stochastic

1655–65; < Greek stochastikós, equivalent to stochas- (variant stem of stocházesthai to aim at) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

Like other group behaviors, traffic exhibits statistical and stochastic patterns, with variations summed over vast regularity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

But I think that, in a world of vigilantism and stochastic terror, it is not just bad for speech qua speech, but for governance qua governance.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2025

“Each population is small and highly susceptible to stochastic events, especially wildfire,” notes a five-year status review for the frogs released last month by the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2024

Computers, he says, are a system out of equilibrium, and stochastic thermodynamics gives physicists a way to study nonequilibrium systems.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2024

With the advent of stochastic and quantum virtual reality generators - the distinction between "real" and "virtual" will fade.

From Moral Deliberations in Modern Cinema by Vaknin, Samuel

Related Words

• debatable
• imaginary
• problematic
• speculative
• theoretical
• vague