Well-read · Science & thinking
Stochastic: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Stochastic adjective. Having a random element, so it can be described by probability but not predicted exactly.
How to say it
stuh-KAS-tik/stəˈkastɪk/
3 syllables, stressed on the second (KAS).
Stochastic in a sentence
Whether any one radioactive atom decays today is stochastic.
The weather model is stochastic, so each run gives a slightly different forecast.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- random
- probabilistic
- chance
Opposite:
- deterministic
Where stochastic comes from
From Greek stokhastikos, from stokhazesthai, to aim at or guess.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The weather model is _____, so each run gives a slightly different forecast.
- cognitive
- stochastic
- hypnopompic
Show the answer
stochastic: The weather model is stochastic, so each run gives a slightly different forecast.