chaos theory
noun
: a branch of mathematical and physical theory that deals with the nature and consequences of chaos and chaotic systems
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Ironically, Al Gore was a big devotee of chaos theory and his defeat is an illustration of that idea. 
Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2022 The butterfly effect—an underlying principle of chaos theory—holds that tiny, apparently inconsequential changes can produce enormous, globally felt repercussions. Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2021 The scientists were surprised by the results, and the experiment gave birth to the field of nonlinear science, which includes a wide array of scientific and mathematical areas of study, such as chaos theory. Virginia Grant, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2021 Edward Lorenz - Advanced the concept of modern chaos theory and important groundwork for modern numerical weather prediction. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021 Tricksters illustrate the capriciousness of nature, or perhaps even embrace chaos theory, which asserts that chaos and order are not necessarily in opposition. James Deutsch, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2021 The drawing corner includes four pages covered in blue-ink sketches by Otto Rössler, a German biochemist who works on chaos theory. Marissa Fessenden, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2012 Precisely when and where these 5-mile-wide thermals of warm buoyant air will bubble up is chaos theory, beyond the ability of even high-resolution weather models to discern. Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, 7 Apr. 2021 At least, that’s the idea in the mathematical world of chaos theory. Matt Simon, Wired, 25 Jan. 2021 See More
Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2022 The butterfly effect—an underlying principle of chaos theory—holds that tiny, apparently inconsequential changes can produce enormous, globally felt repercussions. Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2021 The scientists were surprised by the results, and the experiment gave birth to the field of nonlinear science, which includes a wide array of scientific and mathematical areas of study, such as chaos theory. Virginia Grant, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2021 Edward Lorenz - Advanced the concept of modern chaos theory and important groundwork for modern numerical weather prediction. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021 Tricksters illustrate the capriciousness of nature, or perhaps even embrace chaos theory, which asserts that chaos and order are not necessarily in opposition. James Deutsch, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2021 The drawing corner includes four pages covered in blue-ink sketches by Otto Rössler, a German biochemist who works on chaos theory. Marissa Fessenden, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2012 Precisely when and where these 5-mile-wide thermals of warm buoyant air will bubble up is chaos theory, beyond the ability of even high-resolution weather models to discern. Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, 7 Apr. 2021 At least, that’s the idea in the mathematical world of chaos theory. Matt Simon, Wired, 25 Jan. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1938, in the meaning defined above