secretary problem

noun

The problem of selecting the best out of n applicants for a position, under the condition that all applicants are interviewed in random order, the quality of the applicants is not known before interviewing, and once rejected an applicant cannot be recalled.

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Meanings

nounsecretary problem (plural secretary problems)

plural secretary problems

  1. mathematicsThe problem of selecting the best out of n applicants for a position, under the condition that all applicants are interviewed in random order, the quality of the applicants is not known before interviewing, and once rejected an applicant cannot be recalled.
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: secretary problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.