nature-inspired search
noun phraseUK /ˈneɪtʃə ɪnˈspaɪəd sɜːtʃ/
US /ˈneɪtʃər ɪnˈspaɪərd sɜːrtʃ/
A way of looking for answers by copying ideas from plants, animals, and nature.
The engineer used a nature-inspired search to design a quieter train by studying how owls fly.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A computer method that copies how animals or plants solve problems to find good solutions.
The team ran a nature-inspired search to find the shortest delivery route, modeled on how ants find food.
3. The act of exploring the outdoors to get ideas for new inventions or designs.
Her nature-inspired search through the forest gave her ideas for a better water bottle.
4. A school project where students look at nature to solve a simple problem.
For science class, we did a nature-inspired search to build a stronger paper bridge by copying spider webs.