A step-by-step procedure or set of rules designed to perform a task or solve a problem, typically implemented by a computer. In computing, an algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined instructions that, given an input, yields a desired output. It can describe methods for sorting, searching, or transforming data, among many other tasks.
"In computer science, an algorithm sorts a list of numbers by repeatedly selecting the smallest remaining value."
"A search engine uses complex ranking algorithms to return the most relevant results."
"The team compared several sorting algorithms to determine which was most efficient for large datasets."
"Developing a new algorithm for data compression can significantly reduce file sizes."
The word algorithm derives from the Latinization of the name of the Persian mathematician al-Khwarizmi (c. 780–850 CE), whose works introduced systematic methods for calculation. The term entered English via medieval Latin algorismus, influenced by the Arabic al-Khwarizmi’s name, which itself stems from his lineage and regional naming conventions. Early Latin texts described these procedures as ‘algorismus’ for arithmetic operations, or ‘algorithmi’ (plural) in later usage, reflecting the transliteration of his name. Over time, the word broadened beyond numeric calculations to denote any finite sequence of computational steps. Through the 19th and 20th centuries, as computer science emerged, algorithm came to designate precise, repeatable procedures used by machines, becoming foundational vocabulary in programming and data processing. First known uses in English date to the 18th–19th centuries in mathematical and scholarly writings, with the modern sense solidifying as digital computation became ubiquitous in the late 20th century.
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Words that rhyme with "Algorithm"
-ism sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce it as AL-gu-ri-thm, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪð.əm/. Start with an open front unrounded vowel /æ/ as in “cat,” then /ɡ/ as in “go,” followed by a schwa-like /ə/ in the second syllable, then /r/ (rhotic in US/AU; non-rhotic in some UK dialects but typically pronounced as /ɹ/ when linking), then /ɪ/ as in “kit,” /ð/ the voiced dental fricative as in “this,” and final /əm/.” Keywords: primary stress, schwa, dental fricative, rhotic. Audio reference: imagine hearing a standard pronunciation in most American English tutorials; use a dictionary with sound, and listen to native speakers on Pronounce or Forvo for verification.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying al-GO-rithm; (2) Merging the /lɡ/ cluster too softly, producing /əlɡə-/? instead of clear /æl.ɡə-/; (3) Mispronouncing the dental /ð/ as /d/ or /z/. Correction tips: keep primary stress on AL, clearly articulate /ɡ/ after /æl/, ensure the /ð/ is voiced and dental, and practice the sequence /æ l ɡ ə ɹ ɪ ð ə m/ with slow to normal tempo. Practice with minimal pairs to separate similar sounds (e.g., al- vs al-).
In US and AU accents, you’ll hear a clear rhotic /ɹ/ in the /ɹ/ position, and the /ɜː/ vowel in some contexts is realized as /ɪ/ or /ə/ depending on the speaker. UK English often features a slightly less rhotic or non-rhotic realization in careful speech, with a shorter /ɒ/ or /ɒ/? depending on author; but the standard UK is typically /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪ.ðəm/ with an audible /ð/ and final /m/. AU is typically rhotic and similar to US in vowel quality, but vowel reduction may be slightly different, with more Australian vowel shifts. Overall, the main differences are rhoticity and the quality of /ɪ/ vs /ɪə/ in the second-to-last vowel; all share /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪð.əm/ in careful speech.
The difficulty comes from the sequence of consonants around the alveolar/dental fricatives: /l/ + /ɡ/ + /ð/ + /m/ can be challenging to articulate smoothly, especially the dental /ð/ following a syllable break and the cluster /ɡr/. Also, the schwa in stressed syllables and the fast rhythm in fluent speech can blur sounds. Practicing segment by segment, ensuring precise /ð/ articulation and avoiding substitutions like /d/ or /z/ will help. The rhythm of the word, with stressed initial syllable and a trailing /ð.əm/, also tests speaker’s control.
In standard pronunciation, the primary stress is on the first syllable, AL-. The second syllable is typically a reduced form /ə/ (schwa) or a lighter /ɡə/ depending on pace and emphasis in speech. So you’ll usually hear AL- as the stressed syllable, with the middle /ɡə/ being less prominent in connected speech. Keeping the /ɡ/ audible while reducing the vowel helps maintain intelligibility while sounding natural.
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