machine learning
noun
1
: a computational method that is a subfield of artificial intelligence and that enables a computer to learn to perform tasks by analyzing a large dataset without being explicitly programmed
The company is curating the overall topics manually, but Twitter will be relying on machine learning to intelligently populate the topics themselves so that the tweets can stay up to date.—
Lucas Matney
Lucas MatneyUnsupervised learning, also known as unsupervised machine learning, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and cluster unlabeled datasets. These algorithms discover hidden patterns or data groupings without the need for human intervention.—IBM
IBMSupervised machine learning requires labeled data to adjust the parameters of the model during training. … But without quality training data, supervised learning models will end up making poor inferences.—Ben Dickson
Ben DicksonReinforcement machine learning trains machines through trial and error to take the best action by establishing a reward system. Reinforcement learning can train models to play games or train autonomous vehicles to drive by telling the machine when it made the right decisions, which helps it learn over time what actions it should take.—Sara Brown
Sara Brown2
: the branch of computer science that employs machine learning
An entire subspecialty known as machine learning is devoted to building algorithms that allow computers to develop new behaviors based on experience.—Adam Piore
Adam PioreWhile many scholars in the developing field of machine learning were focused on improving algorithms, [Cynthia] Rudin instead wanted to use AI's power to help society.—Duke University
—abbreviation ML
Duke UniversityExamples of machine learning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another example is the use of machine learning to identify early signs of cancer in radiological scans.
—Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
New Uses for Old Drugs: Scientists are using machine learning to find new treatments among thousands of old medicines.
—Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
The satellites are fitted with custom six-band, multispectral infrared cameras designed to capture imagery suitable for machine learning algorithms to accurately identify wildfires, differentiating them from misleading objects like smokestacks.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025
The conversational naturally wound its way around to AI and the impact of powerful new generative AI and machine learning tools on the craft and business of entertainment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for machine learning
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Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
New Uses for Old Drugs: Scientists are using machine learning to find new treatments among thousands of old medicines.
—Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
The satellites are fitted with custom six-band, multispectral infrared cameras designed to capture imagery suitable for machine learning algorithms to accurately identify wildfires, differentiating them from misleading objects like smokestacks.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025
The conversational naturally wound its way around to AI and the impact of powerful new generative AI and machine learning tools on the craft and business of entertainment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for machine learning
Cite this Entry
“Machine learning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machine%20learning. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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