Markov chain

or Mar·koff chain

[ mahr-kawf ]

noun

, Statistics.

1. a Markov process restricted to discrete random events or to discontinuous time sequences.

Markov chain

/ ˈmɑːkɒf /

noun

1. statistics a sequence of events the probability for each of which is dependent only on the event immediately preceding it

Word History and Origins

Origin of Markov chain¹

First recorded in 1940–45; Markov process

Word History and Origins

Origin of Markov chain¹

C20: named after Andrei Markov (1856–1922), Russian mathematician

Example Sentences

These rules could be decomposed into two sets that dominate at distinct length scales -- Markov chain and random nuclei.

From Science Daily

The Markov chain, simple as it is, somehow captures something of the style of naming practices of different eras.

From Scientific American

My ego would like me to believe that my writing process is a little more complicated than a Markov chain.

From The Verge

The full Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis and uncertainties are discussed in Methods.

From Nature

The main tool in the Duke paper is a method called the “Markov chain Monte Carlo” algorithm.

From New York Times