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

From fintech startups leveraging AI for financial services to retail giants using machine learning for inventory management and customer insights, businesses that fail to adapt to this new environment risk being left behind as more innovative competitors take the field. —Tim Houlne, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

The scientists were able to identify the participants based on their breathing patterns with 96.8 percent accuracy using a machine learning program. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025

Finally, the team used machine learning tools to analyze the results and map out the effect of all the possible mutations of the peptide on fibril formation. —Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

This reflects venture capital's increasing focus on AI: about 58% of global VC dollars invested in the first quarter went into AI and machine learning startups, while in North America, 70% of deal value went into AI and machine learning startups. —Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 10 June 2025

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