pattern identification

noun
UK /ˈpætən aɪˌdentɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
US /ˈpætərn aɪˌdentɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

Pattern identification is finding the things that repeat or follow a rule.

The puzzle asked for pattern identification, so we looked for the shapes that came next in line.

SYNONYMS

pattern recognitionpattern spottingpattern detectionpattern finding

RELATED WORDS

sequencerepetitionruleorderprediction

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In math, the skill of noticing how numbers or shapes repeat so you can predict what comes next.

Pattern identification helped her guess that 2, 4, 6, 8 would be followed by 10.

3. In science, spotting a repeated event or design in nature or data.

Scientists used pattern identification to see that the birds returned every spring.

4. In everyday life, noticing a habit or repeated action.

Pattern identification showed that the dog barked whenever the mail carrier arrived.