metasyntactic variable

noun

A conventional variable name used for an unspecified entity whose exact nature depends on context.

“Use metasyntactic variables like foo and bar when you need a name but the particular name doesn't matter.”

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Meanings

nounmetasyntactic variable (plural metasyntactic variables)

plural metasyntactic variables

  1. computingA conventional variable name used for an unspecified entity whose exact nature depends on context.

    Use metasyntactic variables like foo and bar when you need a name but the particular name doesn't matter.

Translations

Finnish metasyntaktinen muuttuja
  • metasyntaktinen muuttujain computing
Swedish metavariabel
  • metavariabelin computing
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: metasyntactic variable on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.