algorithm

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.”

   “Mark Zuckerberg: No, I need the algorithm you used to rank chess players. / Eduardo Saverin: Are you OK? / Mark Zuckerberg: We're ranking girls.”

   “The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.”

   “It’s a computer – an algorithm – and if you’ve been in Iran lately, they take you out of the system.”

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

   “This retrospective observational analysis evaluated BP [blood pressure] control in an entirely remote management program before and during the pandemic. A team of pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physicians, and nonlicensed navigators used an evidence‐based clinical algorithm to optimize hypertensive treatment. The algorithm was adapted during the pandemic to simplify BP control.”

3. (obsolete, uncountable)Calculation with Arabic numerals; algorism.
4. (countable, metonymically, uncountable)recommender systems and the curation of feeds
5. (broadly, countable, informal, metonymically, uncountable)recommender systems and the curation of feeds

   “Glover began his acceptance speech by saying, “First, I want to thank the great algorithm that put us all here.””

6. (countable, informal, metonymically, uncountable)recommender systems and the curation of feeds

   “… you and I probably didn't run across that in our algorithm, but that doesn't mean that a lot of people aren't gonna run across garbage like that in their algorithms in the next couple weeks…”