Vocabulary

Understand the term. Connect the concept.

A practical dictionary of 512 AI, machine learning, mathematics, and programming terms from HerbDev’s AI Vocabulary app. Start with a definition, explore an example, then follow the concepts behind it.

Linked concepts open in a new tab. Audio reads the definition and example.

Semantic Search

Embeddings & Vector Search · Level 3 of 5

Semantic Search

Retrieval based on represented meaning rather than only literal word overlap.

Its effectiveness depends on the embedding model and retrieval pipeline.

Example

A query about car repairs retrieves a passage about automobile maintenance.

Listen to the definition and example

Audio transcript

Semantic Search. Retrieval based on represented meaning rather than only literal word overlap. Its effectiveness depends on the embedding model and retrieval pipeline. For example: A query about car repairs retrieves a passage about automobile maintenance.

Explore this concept

Why it matters

This helps you understand why a retrieval system finds or misses related information.

Start with

Embedding

Related concepts

Quick recall question

Try answering before looking back at the definition.

Put the terminology into context: How AI works · Machine-native representations · All learning paths

Manage browser learning data

“Remove my test data” clears all AI 101 and ML 101 scores, reviews, project checklists and rating selections, plus saved vocabulary and recent history in this browser. Test entries cannot be separated from other learning progress. Cookie preferences, security protections, submitted feedback, contact emails and past analytics are kept.