1
a
: lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
b
: made, done, or chosen at random
read random passages from the book
2
a
: relating to, having, or being elements or events with definite probability of occurrence
random processes
b
: being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence
a random sample
also
: characterized by procedures designed to obtain such sets or elements
random sampling
randomly
adverb
: a haphazard course
: in a random manner
Synonyms
Examples of random in a Sentence
Adjective
a random sequence of letters
A random sample of doctors from around the country were selected for the study.
We tasted the wines in random order and then rated each.
a random collection of buttons
She collects random photographs that she finds in antique shops.
Pick a random word on the page.
The computer program generates a list of random numbers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2024
Once that rush slowed, Margo served tourists (white), folks working from home (white), random influencers juggling filming setups (mostly white), care-worker types on break from the medical plazas (Asian, white, Latinx), and the packs of (white) undergrads passing through.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2024
Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024
The probability of selecting an unrelated person at random who could be the contributor of the partial major component in this DNA profile is approximately 1 in 550.5 quintillion.
—CBS News, 17 Aug. 2024
Collier Meyerson, WIRED, 16 Aug. 2019
See all Example Sentences for random 
Adjective
Markets are less an Excel formula than Word’s often random autocomplete suggestions.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2024
Once that rush slowed, Margo served tourists (white), folks working from home (white), random influencers juggling filming setups (mostly white), care-worker types on break from the medical plazas (Asian, white, Latinx), and the packs of (white) undergrads passing through.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2024
Noun
If approved, Measure EE would establish an independent commission made up of eight people from each district selected at random by the city clerk, and another five at-large members.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024
The probability of selecting an unrelated person at random who could be the contributor of the partial major component in this DNA profile is approximately 1 in 550.5 quintillion.
—CBS News, 17 Aug. 2024
Adverb
There’s one really random one called Mindicine that a postpartum therapist recommended.
—Collier Meyerson, WIRED, 16 Aug. 2019
See all Example Sentences for random
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'random.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near random
Cite this Entry
“Random.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/random. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
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