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

The platform also uses vision-language models to monitor production processes, detect safety violations, verify packaging accuracy, and track workflow performance in real time. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

As with an increasing number of tasks today, artificial intelligence plays a role in AutoCaptain’s operation, but not in the same way AI large-language models work. — Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

This brings total funding to $45 million, giving the company more resources to improve Fleek Sort, a custom vision-language model trained on millions of secondhand marketplace transactions from Fleek’s global network over the past four years. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

About a year ago, the founders began asking how AI could change the business, and the result is Fleek Sort—a custom computer vision-language model trained on four years’ worth of the company’s own transactions. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for language model

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