decision tree

noun

: a tree diagram which is used for making decisions in business or computer programming and in which the branches represent choices with associated risks, costs, results, or probabilities

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Here's how to protect them Considering multitasking with cores, threads This is one of the more important areas of focus in your decision tree. Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2023 This decision tree model effectively considers many aspects of the current state of security vulnerabilities to help make a response decision—more concretely when to patch or apply mitigation to the vulnerability. Juan Perez-etchegoyen, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023 When talking about business-critical applications, this effectively simplifies the decision tree. Juan Perez-etchegoyen, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023 With Young’s decision tree, astronomers would try to see whether there’s a significant amount of water vapor in the atmosphere—a sign there’s actually water down below. WIRED, 13 Jan. 2023 The decision tree includes branches for planets that don’t seem to resemble any stage of Earth history. WIRED, 13 Jan. 2023 There is no market, no decision tree, which can guide us here. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2012 Usually, a probability tree (or decision tree) is used. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2020 Additionally, define a decision tree for response and escalation procedures. Spiros Xanthos, Forbes, 18 May 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decision tree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decision tree was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near decision tree

Cite this Entry

“Decision tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decision%20tree. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

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