characteristic function

noun

A function which is equal to 1 for all points in its domain which belong to a given set, and is equal to 0 for all points in the domain which do not belong to that given set.

Similar
indicator functioncharacteristic curve
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Meanings

nouncharacteristic function (plural characteristic functions)

plural characteristic functions

  1. mathematical analysisA function which is equal to 1 for all points in its domain which belong to a given set, and is equal to 0 for all points in the domain which do not belong to that given set.

    Synonyms: indicator function

  2. mathematicsA complex function completely defining the probability distribution of a real-valued random variable

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA function which is equal to 1 for all points in its domain which belong to a given set, and is equal to 0 for all points in the domain which do not belong to that given set.

Similar
indicator function

More synonyms by meaning

noun(electronics) graph showing how a particular characteristic of a device varies with other parameters

Similar
characteristic curve
Broader
graphgraphical recordgraphical recording

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Bulgarian характеристична функция
  • характеристична функция (harakteristična funkcija)a complex function completely defining a probability distribution
Finnish karakteristinen funktio
  • karakteristinen funktioa complex function completely defining a probability distribution
Cite this entry
APA

characteristic function. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/characteristic%20function

MLA

“characteristic function.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/characteristic%20function. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “characteristic function,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/characteristic%20function.

Source: characteristic function on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.