sorting algorithm vs algorithm

sorting algorithm and algorithm both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
sorting algorithm	Yes	No	No	No
algorithm	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, algorithm is a hypernym of sorting algorithm; that is, algorithm is a word with a broader meaning than sorting algorithm:

sorting algorithm: an algorithm for sorting a list
algorithm: a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem

Other hypernyms of sorting algorithm include algorithmic program, algorithmic rule.

sorting algorithm (noun)	algorithm (noun)
an algorithm for sorting a list	a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem