combinatorial

adjective

com·​bi·​na·​to·​ri·​al ˌkäm-bə-nə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce combinatorial (audio)
kəm-ˌbī-nə-,
-(ˌ)bi-
1
: of, relating to, or involving combinations
2
: of or relating to the arrangement of, operation on, and selection of discrete mathematical elements belonging to finite sets or making up geometric configurations
combinatorially
ˌkäm-bə-nə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce combinatorial (audio)
kəm-ˌbī-nə-
-(ˌ)bi-
adverb

Examples of combinatorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cambridge professor Frank Kelly and I have developed a combinatorial auction procedure called PAUSE (Progressive Adaptive User Selection Environment), where the auctioneer never faces the winner determination problem. London School Of Economics, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 Contextual and combinatorial structure in sperm whale vocalisations Cody Cottier is a contributing writer at Discover who loves exploring big questions about the universe and our home planet, the nature of consciousness, the ethical implications of science and more. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024 Starting with cost, potential users of the technology stand to benefit greatly from a combinatorial effect caused by three powerful forces. Michael Abbott, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 This combinatorial power is a key building block of human speech, which mixes a finite number of sounds into a vast array of words to convey information. Warren Cornwall, science.org, 5 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for combinatorial 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combinatorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of combinatorial was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near combinatorial

Cite this Entry

“Combinatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combinatorial. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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