algorithm

n. a set of step-by-step instructions that a computer follows to complete a task.

n. a precise, finite sequence of instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task or solve a mathematical problem.

“The search engine uses a complex algorithm to find the most relevant websites for you.”

“The encryption algorithm ensures that sensitive data remains secure by converting plain text into a complex code that is nearly impossible to crack without the key.”

Technical

n. the system used by social media apps to decide which posts or videos you see first.

n. the automated curation and recommendation systems employed by digital platforms to personalise user experience and maximise engagement.

“I keep seeing cat videos because the algorithm knows I like them.”

“Content creators often struggle to adapt their strategies whenever the platform's algorithm changes its criteria for promoting viral videos.”

Informal

n. a chart or list of steps that helps people, like doctors, make a decision.

n. a systematic procedure or flowchart used to guide human decision-making, particularly in clinical or diagnostic contexts.

“The hospital followed a strict algorithm to decide which patients needed immediate surgery.”

“The diagnostic algorithm provides a step-by-step framework for clinicians to identify rare autoimmune disorders based on specific patient symptoms.”

Technical · Formal