adjective

idempotent

/ˌaɪdəmˈpoʊtənt/ · say it: eye·duhm·POH·tunt

producing the same result no matter how many times it runs

In more detail

1. (adjective, mathematics/computing) an operation or function that produces the same result whether applied once or multiple times; producing no change when applied again to its own output

Examples

1. The square root function is not idempotent, but the absolute value function is idempotent when applied to positive numbers.

How to use idempotent

Idempotent is a technical term used primarily in mathematics, computer science, and functional programming to describe operations where repeated application yields no new changes after the first application. It appears frequently in discussions of algorithms, database transactions, and REST APIs. The concept is crucial for understanding system design and reliability.

Common phrases

idempotent operation
idempotent function
idempotent matrix
idempotent element
remain idempotent

Synonyms

self-referential · stable · fixed

Word family

idempotence (noun) · idempotency (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse idempotent with merely 'reversible' or 'repeatable,' but idempotent specifically requires that multiple applications produce the identical result as a single application—not just that the operation can be performed multiple times.

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