ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

stochastic process

Stochastic is a type of process where a result is only partly determined by chance. To use a simple example, if you were to roll a dice, the result of the roll is determined by both chance (which number comes up) and your action (you rolling the dice). In a stochastic process, the outcome will be slightly different each time you roll the dice, so it would be hard to predict the exact outcome of any particular roll.