string distance

noun

Any of several metrics that represent the degree of similarity between two strings of characters, based on the smallest number of transformations that can change one into the other.

“The string distance between 'here' and 'there' is 1 (insertion of a t).”

Similar
edit distance
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Meanings

nounstring distance (plural string distances)

plural string distances

  1. computerAny of several metrics that represent the degree of similarity between two strings of characters, based on the smallest number of transformations that can change one into the other.

    The string distance between 'here' and 'there' is 1 (insertion of a t).

    Synonyms: edit distance

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAny of several metrics that represent the degree of similarity between two strings of characters, based on the smallest number of transformations that can change one into the other.

Similar
edit distance
Also see
edit distance
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: string distance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.