tail recursion

noun

The technique of writing a function so that recursive calls are only done immediately before function return, particularly when recursive control structures are used in place of iterative ones.

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Meanings

nountail recursion (countable and uncountable, plural tail recursions)

plural tail recursions

  1. countableuncountablecomputingThe technique of writing a function so that recursive calls are only done immediately before function return, particularly when recursive control structures are used in place of iterative ones.

Translations

Finnish häntärekursio
  • häntärekursiowriting a function so that recursive calls are only done immediately before function return
Japanese 末尾再帰
  • 末尾再帰 (matsubisaiki)writing a function so that recursive calls are only done immediately before function return
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: tail recursion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.