algorithm

noun

al·​go·​rithm ˈal-gə-ˌri-t͟həm 

: 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

algorithmic

ˌal-gə-ˈrit͟h-mik 

adjective

algorithmically

ˌal-gə-ˈrit͟h-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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What Does algorithm Mean?

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.

Examples of algorithm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An algorithm might notice a patient has been searching for information on running injuries and then prioritize orthopedic specialists who have excellent reviews for sports medicine. —Ajay Prasad, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

According to Hounsell, other experts can use it to develop their own machine-learning algorithms to comb through Roman’s gigantic troves of data for their own subjects. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2025

The ranking is done by a classifier, which is an algorithm that learns to identify similar instances of objects – cats, cars, trees – from training data in order to recognize those objects in new images. —Robin R. Murphy, The Conversation, 16 July 2025

Britt, of Alabama, said that tech companies should be prohibited from using algorithms to direct certain types of content to young people between the ages of 13 and 17, citing statistics showing the prevalence of suicidal ideation among teenagers and young women, in particular. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 July 2025

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 flourished a.d. 825 Islamic mathematician

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing algorithm

• Euclidean algorithm

Rhymes for algorithm

• logarithm
• rhythm

Kids Definition

algorithm

noun

al·​go·​rithm ˈal-gə-ˌrit͟h-əm 

: a step-by-step method for solving a problem (as finding the greatest common divisor) or accomplishing a goal