lambda expression

noun

UK /ˈlæm.də ɪkˌspreʃ.ən/

US /ˈlæm.də ɪkˌspreʃ.ən/

A lambda expression is a short way to write a small function right where you need it.

She used a lambda expression to sort the list by each item's length.

SYNONYMS

anonymous function function literal lambda inline function closure

RELATED WORDS

function parameter arrow function callback expression

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In computer science theory, a formal expression in lambda calculus that defines a function by binding variables.

The professor reduced the program to a single lambda expression to prove its behavior.

3. In some programming languages such as Python, a keyword that creates a small unnamed function object.

The lambda expression squared each number in the list.

4. A term sometimes used loosely for any short block of code passed as a value.

He replaced the long loop with a lambda expression passed to the map method.