Phrase guide

multi-armed bandit

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

An algorithm that allocates a fixed limited set of resources between competing alternative choices so as to maximize the expected gain, when each choice's properties are only partially known at the time of allocation, and may become better understood as time passes or allocations are made.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: machine learning

Topics: mathematics, probability-theory, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From one-armed bandit, by analogy with a gambler at a row of slot machines who has to decide how best to play them.