# Embeddings & vector databases

Embeddings convert text into numerical coordinates where similar meanings sit near each other. A vector database (Pinecone, pgvector, Chroma) searches by meaning, not keywords — the retrieval engine behind every serious RAG system.

Canonical: https://robauto.ai/learn/ai-architecture/5

_Advanced AI Architecture: Strategy, Stack & Daily Practice — lesson 5 of 20 (DEFINITION)_

Embeddings convert text into numerical coordinates where similar meanings sit near each other. A vector database (Pinecone, pgvector, Chroma) searches by meaning, not keywords — the retrieval engine behind every serious RAG system.

Source: [Pinecone — Vector embeddings](https://www.pinecone.io/learn/vector-embeddings/?utm_source=robauto)

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