Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

attractor

noun

/əˈtræktər/

Definition

An attractor is a set of numerical values towards which a system tends to evolve, representing a stable state of that system.

Examples

The concept of an attractor can be applied to various fields, including physics, biology, and economics.
In dynamic systems, finding the attractor can help predict long-term behaviors.
Weather patterns can exhibit attractor characteristics, leading to stable climatic conditions.

Meaning

In the context of systems theory, an attractor is a point or set of points in a space that draws in trajectories of the system over time, indicating where it is likely to settle.