traversal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical
Quick answer
What does “traversal” mean?
The act or process of traversing or crossing something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or process of traversing or crossing something.
In computing, the systematic visiting of all nodes in a data structure such as a tree or graph.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in general usage, but common in technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “traversal” in a Sentence
traversal of [object]to perform a traversal on [object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “traversal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system must traverse the network nodes.
American English
- The software needs to traverse the database tables.
adjective
British English
- The path is not traversable in winter.
American English
- The route is traversable with proper equipment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Seldom used; may appear in IT or logistics reports.
Academic
Common in computer science and engineering literature.
Everyday
Very rare; not typical in casual conversation.
Technical
Frequent in discussions of algorithms and data structures.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “traversal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “traversal”
- Using 'traversal' as a verb; correct verb is 'traverse'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Traversal' is a noun; the verb form is 'traverse'.
Primarily in computing, mathematics, and engineering.
Rarely; it is mostly a technical term.
In computing, 'traversal' often implies systematic visiting of all elements, while 'navigation' can be more general.
The act or process of traversing or crossing something.
Traversal is usually technical in register.
Traversal: in British English it is pronounced /trəˈvɜːsəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /trəˈvɜːrsəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'traversal' by linking it to 'traverse' – to cross, and '-al' makes it the act of crossing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A journey through a structured set of points.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'traversal' in computer science?