disambiguator

Disambiguator is a term used to describe a tool, algorithm, or process that resolves ambiguity when a single name, term, or identifier could refer to multiple different entities. The goal is to determine the intended referent based on context, metadata, or predefined rules.

In linguistics and natural language processing, disambiguation is a central task. Word sense disambiguation attempts to identify which sense of a polysemous word is meant in a sentence. Named entity disambiguation, also called entity linking, connects a textual mention to a specific entry in a knowledge base, such as linking “Mercury” to the planet rather than the element or the Roman god, depending on context.

In information retrieval and search systems, disambiguation helps interpret user queries and improve search results by selecting the most relevant sense or entity. This can involve analyzing surrounding text, user history, or domain-specific knowledge to tailor results to the intended meaning.

In computing and data management, disambiguators resolve conflicts among identical identifiers. This appears in programming languages when overloading produces multiple possible function matches, requiring type or scope information to choose the correct one. It also occurs in data integration and ontology work, where identical labels refer to different concepts and must be disambiguated using attributes, relations, or contextual signals.

Disambiguation is often supported by disambiguation pages in knowledge bases, by structured metadata, or by machine learning models that incorporate context, frequency, and external knowledge sources.