Definition of "algorithm" in English

noun

1. (countable) A collection of ordered steps that solve a mathematical problem. A precise step-by-step plan for a computational procedure that possibly begins with an input value and yields an output value in a finite number of steps.

   • Informally, an algorithm is any well-defined computational procedure that takes some value, or set of values, as input and produces some value, or set of values, as output. An algorithm is thus a sequence of computational steps that transform the input into the output.

2. (loosely) A flowchart illustrating a decision-making process for human users, especially health care professionals.

3. (uncountable, obsolete) Calculation with Arabic numerals; algorism.

4. (social media, metonymic) recommender systems and the curation of feeds