: of, relating to, or being a logical combinatorial system (such as Boolean algebra) that represents symbolically relationships (such as those implied by the logical operators AND, OR, and NOT) between entities (such as sets, propositions, or on-off computer circuit elements)
Boolean expression
Boolean search strategy for information retrieval
Examples of Boolean in a Sentence
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Boole, one of the great mathematicians, created Boolean algebra which laid the foundations for computer language and is this the structure around which scientists use machines to mimic and ‘improve’ on human behaviour.
—
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
In chip design, such problems include optimizing the routing of interconnects within a core and Boolean circuit minimization, in which the challenge is to construct a circuit with the fewest gates and inputs to execute a function.
—Somdeb Majumdar, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2024
Computers that use Boolean logic—which trades energy for precision—and that separate memory and computing, appear to be very inefficient at truly emulating a brain.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2017
Remember using Boolean search techniques for early web searches?
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2024
In the mid-nineteenth century, a great-great-grandfather of Hinton’s, the English mathematician George Boole, developed the system of binary reasoning, now known as Boolean algebra, that is fundamental to all computing.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
These two steps of translation entail both Boolean logic and timing control through flip-flops.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2023
Courtesy of LinkedIn Instead of conducting complex Boolean searches or filling out over a dozen filter fields, recruiters can simply type their candidate criteria into a search bar using natural language.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2023
Another was a Boolean variable that was either true or false: lethal force was either permitted or prohibited.
—Erico Guizzoevan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2016
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Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
In chip design, such problems include optimizing the routing of interconnects within a core and Boolean circuit minimization, in which the challenge is to construct a circuit with the fewest gates and inputs to execute a function.
—Somdeb Majumdar, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2024
Computers that use Boolean logic—which trades energy for precision—and that separate memory and computing, appear to be very inefficient at truly emulating a brain.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2017
Remember using Boolean search techniques for early web searches?
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2024
In the mid-nineteenth century, a great-great-grandfather of Hinton’s, the English mathematician George Boole, developed the system of binary reasoning, now known as Boolean algebra, that is fundamental to all computing.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
These two steps of translation entail both Boolean logic and timing control through flip-flops.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2023
Courtesy of LinkedIn Instead of conducting complex Boolean searches or filling out over a dozen filter fields, recruiters can simply type their candidate criteria into a search bar using natural language.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2023
Another was a Boolean variable that was either true or false: lethal force was either permitted or prohibited.
—Erico Guizzoevan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2016
Dictionary Entries Near Boolean
Cite this Entry
“Boolean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Boolean. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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Boolean
adjective
Bool·ean
ˈbü-lē-ən 
: of, relating to, or being Boolean algebra
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