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noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

parameter

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Parameter (noun) means a number or value that stays fixed while you work through one version of a calculation or experiment, but can be different in another version. Example: “In this experiment the temperature is a fixed parameter, while the pressure changes between runs.”

noun
1
A number or value that stays fixed while you work through one version of a calculation or experiment, but can be different in another version.
"On the other hand, if we have suitable data, we may be able to develop some direct computational methods for the essentially nonlinear parameter identification problems, in which fewer or even no nonlinear processes are involved." — M. Amouroux, A. El Jai (2014)
"In this experiment the temperature is a fixed parameter, while the pressure changes between runs."
"Change one parameter at a time so you can see which one affects the result."
"The formula needs a single parameter, such as the length of a side."
2
A variable that shows some property or feature of a system, such as a material, object or event.
"Fundamental is the regulation of a for-profit OpenAI. The company initially delayed the launch of its earlier GPT-2, with a mere 1.5bn parameters, because the company fretted over its implications." — , The Guardian view on artificial intelligence's revolution: learning but not as we know it (2020)
"Hardness is one important parameter when choosing a metal for building tools."
"Engineers measured each key parameter of the bridge, including its weight and flexibility."
"Wind speed is a useful parameter for describing a storm."
3
In statistics, a number that sums up or describes a feature of a whole population.
"The average height of all adults in a country is a population parameter."
"We use a sample to estimate the unknown parameter of the whole group."
"A parameter describes the entire population, whereas a statistic describes only the sample."
4
In machine learning, a value inside a model that the training process adjusts.
"During training, the model updates millions of parameters to reduce its mistakes."
"A larger network usually has more parameters and needs more memory to run."
"The researchers saved the learned parameters so the model could be reused later."
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In this experiment the temperature is a fixed _____, while the pressure changes between runs.

Etymology

This came into English from French paramètre, from New Latin parametrum ("parameter"), which combines Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, "beside") and μέτρον (métron, "measure").

Related words

Rhymes for parameter

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of parameter?
"parameter" (noun) means a number or value that stays fixed while you work through one version of a calculation or experiment, but can be different in another version.
What is another word for parameter?
Other words for "parameter" include argument.
What are the different meanings of parameter?
"parameter" has 3 main meanings: 1. A number or value that stays fixed while you work through one version of a calculation or experiment, but can be different in another version; 2. A variable that shows some property or feature of a system, such as a material, object or event; 3. In statistics, a number that sums up or describes a feature of a whole population.
How do you use parameter in a sentence?
Example: "In this experiment the temperature is a fixed parameter, while the pressure changes between runs."

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