nondeterminism

This term is primarily used in technical registers, specifically within theoretical computer science, mathematics, and quantum physics. It describes a state of unpredictability or branching possibilities, contrasting sharply with determinism, where a specific cause always produces the same effect. In a computational context, it refers to the theoretical ability of a machine to explore multiple paths simultaneously or choose between several valid transitions.

As an abstract property or a theoretical concept, the word is used exclusively as an uncountable noun. It describes a quality of a system rather than a discrete object, meaning it does not take a plural form and cannot be counted with numbers.