random Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
    • a random choice
    • bombs fell at random
    • random movements

WordNet

Ran"dom noun
Etymology
OE. randon, OF. randon force, violence, rapidity, a randon, de randon, violently, suddenly, rapidly, prob. of German origin; cf. G. rand edge, border, OHG. rant shield, edge of a shield, akin to E. rand, n. See Rand, n.
Definitions
  1. Force; violence. Obs.
    For courageously the two kings newly fought with great random and force. E. Hall.
  2. A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance; -- commonly used in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard.
    Counsels, when they fly At random, sometimes hit most happily. Herrick.
    O, many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant ! Sir W. Scott.
  3. Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the random of a rifle ball. Sir K. Digby.
  4. (Mining) The direction of a rake-vein. Raymond.
Ran"dom adjective
Definitions
  1. Going at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess.
    Some random truths he can impart. Wordsworth.
    So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random. H. Spencer.

Webster 1913