Algol

//ˈælɡɒl// name

name ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    (from a combination of ALGOrithmic and Language); a programming language used to express computer programs as algorithms wordnet
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    An eclipsing binary star in the constellation of Perseus; Beta (β) Persei. It represents the eye of Medusa, whose head is being held by Perseus.
  2. 2
    Alternative letter-case form of ALGOL. alt-of

    "He was the defiant homesteader, the crusty senior member of a research team who understood Algol and Fortran but couldn't read the secrets of his own heart."

  3. 3
    An influential early high-level programming language designed for solving mathematical and scientific problems.

    "Later, ALGOL was used as the basis of JOVIAL, MAD, NELIAC, and ALGO. In 1960, a division occurred based on unresolved disagreements and ALGOL 60 was born."

  4. 4
    A family of programming languages derived from ALGOL 58.

Synonyms

All synonyms
bitbugcommandcomputer programdataerror

Example

More examples

"He was the defiant homesteader, the crusty senior member of a research team who understood Algol and Fortran but couldn't read the secrets of his own heart."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Arabic الْغُول (al-ḡūl, “the ghoul”).

Etymology 2

Devised as an acronym of algorithmic language.

Related phrases

Algol variablebinary starhigh levelprogramming language

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.