What does permuting mean?
Permuting means rearranging the elements of a collection so that they appear in a different order. The term is used in ordinary contexts when describing the reordering of letters, objects, or sequences, and it is particularly common in mathematics and computer science. For example, permuting the letters of a word produces its possible anagrams, while permuting a set of items means considering every possible arrangement. The word has a technical feel and is more precise than simply “mixing” or “moving” things, because it suggests that the same elements remain in use and only their positions change. It is also associated with the related concepts of permutation, which is an arrangement itself, and combinatorics, the study of possible orderings and selections.
verbTo rearrange the elements of a set or sequence, especially in a different order. In mathematics and combinatorics, it means to consider or calculate all possible orderings of a collection.
- To rearrange elements in a different order.
"The program permutes the letters to generate every possible anagram."
"The researcher permuted the samples before analyzing them."
"A computer program permutes the digits to find all possible combinations."
Permuting turns a simple collection into a universe of possible arrangements: three objects can be ordered six different ways.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of permuting
The word comes through English from Latin permutare, meaning “to interchange” or “to change.” Its roots are per-, meaning “through” or “completely,” and mutare, meaning “to change.” The English forms permute, permutation, and permutable developed from this Latin foundation, with cognates in other Romance languages reflecting the same idea of exchanging or rearranging.
Related word forms
How permuting is actually used
In general use, it often implies changing the order of elements while preserving their identity. In mathematics and computer science, it is especially common in discussions of permutations, combinations, and algorithmic search.