Markov process

noun

Any stochastic process for which the conditional probability distribution of future states depends only on the current state (and not on past states).

Similar
Markoff process

Meanings

nounMarkov process (plural Markov processes)

plural Markov processes

  1. mathematicsAny stochastic process for which the conditional probability distribution of future states depends only on the current state (and not on past states).

    2013, M. G. Shur, Markov Process, entry in Michiel Hazewinkel (editor), Encyclopaedia of Mathematics, Volume 6, page 102, In the theory of Markov processes most attention is given to homogeneous (in time) processes.

    2 more examples

    It has been remarked in 1 that a Markov process with time reversal is again a Markov process.

    2007, N. G. Van Kampen, Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry, 3rd edition, page 81

    The second part is written for probabilists and it studies the case where fast motions are certain Markov processes such as random evolutions and, in particular, diffusions.

    2009, Yuri Kifer, “Large Deviations and Adiabatic Transitions for Dynamical Systems and Markov Processes in Fully Coupled Averaging”, in Memoirs of the American Mathematical Society, number 944, page vii

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna simple stochastic process in which the distribution of future states depends only on the present state and not on how it arrived in the present state

Similar
Markoff process

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Named after Russian mathematician Andrey Markov (Андре́й Андре́евич Ма́рков) (1856—1922), who researched the processes.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 馬爾可夫過程 /马尔可夫过程
  • 馬爾可夫過程 /马尔可夫过程 (Mǎěrkěfū guòchéng)stochastic process
Czech Markovův proces
  • Markovův processtochastic process
Finnish Markovin prosessi, Markov-prosessi
  • Markovin prosessistochastic process
  • Markov-prosessistochastic process
Icelandic Markov-ferli
  • Markov-ferlistochastic process
Italian processo markoviano, processo di Markov
  • processo markovianostochastic process
  • processo di Markovstochastic process
Russian марковски́й проце́сс
  • марковски́й проце́сс (markovskíj procéss)stochastic process
Cite this entry
APA

Markov process. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Markov%20process

MLA

“Markov process.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Markov%20process. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Markov process,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Markov%20process.

Source: Markov process on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.