Phrase guide

forward-backward algorithm

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An inference algorithm for hidden Markov models which computes the posterior marginals of all hidden state variables given a sequence of observations/emissions. It uses dynamic programming to compute the values in two passes, the first going forward in time and the second backward.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any algorithm belonging to the general class that operate on sequence models in a forward-backward manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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