Fisher-Yates shuffle

noun

A particular algorithm for generating an unbiased random permutation of a set. It selects elements randomly from the initial set until none remain.

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Meanings

nounFisher-Yates shuffle (plural Fisher-Yates shuffles)

plural Fisher-Yates shuffles

  1. computingA particular algorithm for generating an unbiased random permutation of a set. It selects elements randomly from the initial set until none remain.

Origin

Named after Ronald Fisher and Frank Yates.

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Cite this entry
APA

Fisher-Yates shuffle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Fisher-Yates%20shuffle

MLA

“Fisher-Yates shuffle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Fisher-Yates%20shuffle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Fisher-Yates shuffle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Fisher-Yates%20shuffle.

Source: Fisher-Yates shuffle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.