tuple
n.n. a fixed list of items in a specific order, often used in computer programming or math. Unlike a regular list, you usually cannot change the items inside it once it is created.
n. a finite ordered list of elements, typically used in mathematics and computer science to group related data points. In many programming languages, it is immutable, meaning its contents cannot be modified after instantiation.
The function returns a tuple containing the user's name and age.
In the database, each row is treated as a tuple where every field represents a specific attribute of the record.
By using a tuple instead of a list, the developer ensures that the coordinates remain constant throughout the execution of the script, preventing accidental data corruption.
From the ending of the words quintuple, sextuple; from Latin -plus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly used in the context of relational databases and functional programming; often contrasted with 'list' or 'array' regarding mutability.
Last updated July 22, 2026