: a procedure for solving a mathematical problem (as of finding the greatest common divisor) in a finite number of steps that frequently involves repetition of an operation
broadly: a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end
There are several search engines, with Google, Yahoo and Bing being the biggest players. Each search engine has its own proprietary computation (called an "algorithm") that ranks websites for each keyword or combination of keywords. Julie Brinton
… sometimes you solve a problem by coming up with an algorithm of some kind. But sometimes you solve a problem in a very ad hoc sort of way. William H. Huggins
The current term of choice for a problem-solving procedure, algorithm, is commonly used nowadays for the set of rules a machine (and especially a computer) follows to achieve a particular goal. It does not always apply to computer-mediated activity, however. The term may as accurately be used of the steps followed in making a pizza or solving a Rubik’s Cube as for computer-powered data analysis.
Algorithm is often paired with words specifying the activity for which a set of rules have been designed. A search algorithm, for example, is a procedure that determines what kind of information is retrieved from a large mass of data. An encryption algorithm is a set of rules by which information or messages are encoded so that unauthorized persons cannot read them.
Though first attested in the early 20th century (and, until recently, used strictly as a term of mathematics and computing), algorithm has a surprisingly deep history. It was formed from algorism “the system of Arabic numerals,” a word that goes back to Middle English and ultimately stems from the name of a 9th-century Persian mathematician, abu-Jaʽfar Mohammed ibn-Mūsa al-Khuwārizmi, who did important work in the fields of algebra and numeric systems.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebToday, YouTube is known for its powerful recommendation algorithm: a system criticized for driving people to radical beliefs, conspiracies, and online echo chambers. Mark Bergen, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2022 To develop their new labor predictive algorithm, researchers from the Mayo Clinic sourced over 700 of these clinical factors observed during more than 66,000 pregnancy deliveries. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Since 2013, the organization has used its algorithm to analyze several data points, including forecast temperatures and historical precipitation to predict the precise moment when peak fall color will occur across the country, including Michigan. Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2022 However, the practice of using AI in the learning of African languages is rising, with Google adding 10 more African languages to its Google Translate AI algorithm. Faustine Ngila, Quartz, 2 Sep. 2022 Before making its way to the new Sense 2, the company proved that its algorithm could detect 98 percent of AFib cases in a sample size of more than 450,000 people. Corey Gaskin, Ars Technica, 24 Aug. 2022 Rather, once a few representative years have been analyzed, Slipski hopes to be able to use the cloud characterizations to train his algorithm to achieve more reliable results.Wired, 3 Aug. 2022 Zuckerberg said about 15% of Facebook content, and slightly more on Instagram, is recommended by their algorithm from accounts users don't follow. Brett Molina, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 In 2020, Pymetrics, a company that provides candidate screening software to brands, paid computer scientists from Northeastern University to audit its hiring algorithm with the condition that the results were public and independent. Ricardo Baeza-yates, Forbes, 25 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
alteration of Middle English algorisme, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old French, from Medieval Latin algorismus, from Arabic al-khuwārizmi, from al-Khwārizmī flourisheda.d. 825 Islamic mathematician