Algol

1 of 2

noun (1)

Al·​gol ˈal-ˌgäl 

-ˌgȯl

: a binary star in the constellation Perseus whose larger member orbits and eclipses the smaller, brighter star causing periodic variation in brightness

ALGOL

2 of 2

noun (2)

AL·​GOL ˈal-ˌgäl 

-ˌgȯl

variants or Algol

: an algebraic computer programming language used especially in mathematical and scientific applications

Examples of Algol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Algol relates to the Arabic al-ghül, which signifies demon or ghoul. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Shooting stars associated with the shower will appear to emanate from a point in the sky located in the constellation Perseus, close to the bright star Algol, which can be pinpointed with the help of a smartphone astronomy app. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025

The universalist aspirations of the Algol community would inform his views on computer education. — Ksenia Tatarchenko, IEEE Spectrum, 27 Sep. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Arabic al-ghūl, literally, the ghoul

Noun (2)

algorithmic language

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1959, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ALGOL

noun

AL·​GOL

variants or Algol

ˈal-ˌgäl 

-ˌgȯl

: a computer programming language that is used especially in mathematics and science

Etymology

Noun

from algorithm and language