machine learning

noun

1

: a computational method that is a subfield of artificial intelligence and that enables a computer to learn to perform tasks by analyzing a large dataset without being explicitly programmed

The company is curating the overall topics manually, but Twitter will be relying on machine learning to intelligently populate the topics themselves so that the tweets can stay up to date.

—Lucas Matney

Unsupervised learning, also known as unsupervised machine learning, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and cluster unlabeled datasets. These algorithms discover hidden patterns or data groupings without the need for human intervention.

—IBM

Supervised machine learning requires labeled data to adjust the parameters of the model during training. … But without quality training data, supervised learning models will end up making poor inferences.

—Ben Dickson

Reinforcement machine learning trains machines through trial and error to take the best action by establishing a reward system. Reinforcement learning can train models to play games or train autonomous vehicles to drive by telling the machine when it made the right decisions, which helps it learn over time what actions it should take.

—Sara Brown

2

: the branch of computer science that employs machine learning

An entire subspecialty known as machine learning is devoted to building algorithms that allow computers to develop new behaviors based on experience.

—Adam Piore

While many scholars in the developing field of machine learning were focused on improving algorithms, [Cynthia] Rudin instead wanted to use AI's power to help society.

—Duke University

—abbreviation ML

Examples of machine learning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In late August, Apple announced a rare layoff of nearly 150 employees in machine learning and software engineering departments. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Hugging Face — the AI company at the center of a hacking incident earlier this year that raised cybersecurity concerns — has exploded in popularity, now boasting 18 million users, providing an open-source hub for collaborative machine learning. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

The role requires a mix of technical expertise—including programming, machine learning, generative AI, and tech infrastructure—paired with the consulting, communication, and leadership skills needed to work directly with customers. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

On July 14, the city passed a measure responding to Cain’s tort, amending its contract with Flock Safety to remove a clause that would allow the company to mine data from cameras put up in Wilder to improve its machine learning. — Noah Daly august 26, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for machine learning

• adjourning
• concerning
• discerning
• returning
• burning
• churning
• earning
• spurning
• turning
• yearning
• overturning