| the mathematical theory concerned with the content, transmission, storage, and retrieval of information, usually in the form of messages or data, and esp. by means of computers. |
| information theory n. The theory of the probability of transmission of messages with specified accuracy when the bits of information constituting the messages are subject, with certain probabilities, to transmission failure, distortion, and accidental additions. |
| information theory
A branch of mathematics that mathematically defines and analyzes the concept of information. Information theory involves statistics and probability theory, and applications include the design of systems that have to do with data transmission, encryption, compression, and other information processing. |