Word
singleton
Phoneticssin·gle·ton, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɪŋɡəɫtən/
UK/sˈɪŋɡəltən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a single person or thing that is not part of a pair or a group. In computer science, it is also a design pattern where only one instance of an object can exist.
n. an individual item or person that is distinct from a set, pair, or group. In software engineering, refers to a design pattern that restricts the instantiation of a class to one object.
Examples
“The database uses a singleton to manage all connections.”
“The teacher noticed a singleton sitting apart from the other students during the group activity.”
“Implementing the logger as a singleton ensures that every module in the application writes to the same file without creating conflicting file handles or redundant memory allocations.”
Examples
simple
“The database uses a singleton to manage all connections.”
contextual
“The teacher noticed a singleton sitting apart from the other students during the group activity.”
complex
“Implementing the logger as a singleton ensures that every module in the application writes to the same file without creating conflicting file handles or redundant memory allocations.”
Usage
Commonly used in technical contexts like mathematics, statistics, and software development; in social contexts, it is a neutral term for an unmarried person.
Real-World Examples
“Neither convinces you she’s quite ready to join their gang – even as this committed singleton’s narrative takes an unexpected turn towards coupledom.” “In the world he hoped to bring about, a benevolent, centralized, god-like AI, sometimes called a “singleton”, could end hunger and poverty and protect the human species for eternity.” “For the first time in human history, great numbers of people – at all ages, in all places, of every political persuasion – have begun settling down as singletons.” Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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