ergodic

[ ur-god-ik ]

adjective

, Mathematics, Statistics.

1. of or relating to the condition that, in an interval of sufficient duration, a system will return to states that are closely similar to previous ones: the assumption of such a condition underlies statistical methods used in modern dynamics and atomic theory.

Other Words From

• er·go·dic·i·ty [ur-g, uh, -, dis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ergodic¹

1925–30; erg(o)- ¹ + Greek ( h ) od ( ós ) way, road + -ic

Example Sentences

As a mathematician and an author, he specialized in “ergodic theory, Lie groups and differential geometry,” according to a university biography.

From New York Times

In seminal papers in the 1960s and 1970s, Furstenberg used ergodic ideas to show how even the most random sets of infinitely many whole numbers had to conceal some kind of regular structure.

From Nature

The general idea of using the trajectory of an object to reveal information about the space it is moving through is called ergodic theory.

From New York Times

Furstenberg’s ideas had an impact across fields seemingly distant from ergodic theory, including geometry and algebra.

From Nature

In addition, he was known for work in ergodic theory, and for mastering and influencing all aspects of dynamical-systems problems and approaches.

From Washington Post