Modèle

Modèle is a French noun meaning pattern, template, model, or exemplar. In general use it denotes a simplified representation of reality intended to facilitate understanding, prediction, or reproduction. It also refers to a person who displays clothing or products, i.e., a fashion model, in French and in borrowed uses by other languages.

In science and engineering, a modèle is a representation that captures essential features of a system. Physical models include scale models of buildings or machines; abstract models include mathematical formulations, statistical models, and computational simulations used to analyze behavior and forecast outcomes. Models are subject to validation and refinement based on empirical data.

In business and technology, the term is used in several senses: a business model defines how an organization creates and delivers value and earns revenue. In data science and AI, machine learning models are algorithms trained on data to make predictions or decisions. In design and architecture, models can serve as prototypes prior to final fabrication.

The plural is modèles in French; in English texts the word model may be used with or without accent depending on language conventions. The concept of a modèle is central across disciplines to simplify, test, and communicate complex systems.