Phrase guide

halting problem

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The problem of deciding in finite time whether a given program will finish running in finite time, when given a certain finite input.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computer, computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, science, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: problème de l'arrêt — problem in theoretical computer science
  • German: Halteproblem — problem in theoretical computer science
  • Greek: πρόβλημα τερματισμού (próvlima termatismoú) — problem in theoretical computer science
  • Polish: problem stopu — problem in theoretical computer science
  • Swedish: stopproblemet — problem in theoretical computer science