language model

noun

plural language models

: a mathematical model (see model entry 1 sense 3) that analyzes a corpus of text in order to accurately represent the relationships between words

We have tremendous freedom to put words in any order we like. The computer has to have some kind of handle, a language model. It has to figure how likely any particular word is to pop up at any time.

—Robert Mercer, quoted in Chicago Tribune

also : software that uses a language model to generate text (such as responses to queries or prompts)

For example, given the task of analyzing the sentiment of the sentence 'I missed the bus today,' researchers could continue with the prompt 'I felt so [blank]' and ask a language model to fill in the blank with an emotion.

—Kyle Wiggers

see also large language model

Examples of language model in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lawsuits filed and settled in 2025-26 have alleged that interactions with language models such as ChatGPT led to teen suicidal behavior and tragic losses, highlighting that commercial chatbots lack effective guardrails and crisis protocols. — Megan Kelly, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

They were written by a genomic language model trained on vast troves of DNA sequences. — Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

The app can transcribe recordings either by downloading an offline language model or by using a Pro subscription for online transcription. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

With anonymizing techniques like face obscuring, combined with AI vision search and the kind of contextual awareness that vision-language models offer, cities can identify incidents and threats without compromising privacy. — Lee-Lean Shu, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for language model

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• twaddle
• waddle
• remodel