multi-armed bandit

noun

An algorithm that allocates a fixed limited set of resources between competing alternative choices so as to maximize the expected gain, when each choice's properties are only partially known at the time of allocation, and may become better understood as time passes or allocations are made.

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Meanings

nounmulti-armed bandit (plural multi-armed bandits)

plural multi-armed bandits

  1. machine learningcomputerAn algorithm that allocates a fixed limited set of resources between competing alternative choices so as to maximize the expected gain, when each choice's properties are only partially known at the time of allocation, and may become better understood as time passes or allocations are made.

Origin

From one-armed bandit, by analogy with a gambler at a row of slot machines who has to decide how best to play them.

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Cite this entry
APA

multi-armed bandit. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/multi-armed%20bandit

MLA

“multi-armed bandit.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/multi-armed%20bandit. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “multi-armed bandit,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/multi-armed%20bandit.

Source: multi-armed bandit on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.