randomness

noun

ran·​dom·​ness ˈran-dəm-nəs How to pronounce randomness (audio)
Synonyms of randomnessnext
: the quality or state of being or seeming random (as in lacking or seeming to lack a definite plan, purpose, or pattern)
Many Western artists and writers have been inspired by the I Ching. … The composer John Cage used it as a way to generate randomness and chance in his compositions, giving them their distinctive and often remarkable qualities.Heinz Insu Fenkl
… the metaphor of a coin flip for randomness remains unquestioned. We use coin tosses to settle disputes and decide outcomes because we believe they are unbiased, with 50-50 odds. Yet recent research into coin flips has discovered that the laws of mechanics determine the outcome of coin tosses …David E. Adler
the randomness of life

Examples of randomness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Rain works through a different mechanism — the randomness of raindrops creates a pink noise pattern the brain processes more easily than white noise, associated with better sleep and reduced anxiety. Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026 The randomness of the arrests means that anyone could be a target. Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 May 2026 In this way, researchers can combine prompting and randomness to create 10,000 different synthetic responses. Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 According to the researchers, the distance ensured that no information could travel between the chips during measurements, even at the speed of light, preventing interference with the randomness. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for randomness

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of randomness was in 1803

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Cite this Entry

“Randomness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/randomness. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

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