What exactly is a "figure" in a scientific paper?

I'm writing a thesis and I would like to direct the user to an algorithm description. The description is in the form of numbered (and lettered) list. I would like to write that "the algorithm is presented on fig. 1.1", but I'm not sure if that would be correct. I've been thinking that a "figure" is a drawing or a schematic, but recently I've been seeing this word when referring to lists or even blocks of text.

Figure is anything outside the main block of text that you can refer to.

The house style of the journal will say whether you refer to tables, images, equations, diagrams separately or refer to all of them as 'figure'.

One of the meanings of figure: an illustration or explanatory diagram in a text.

Definition

A figure is defined by Dictionary.com as

A form or shape, as determined by outlines or exterior surfaces: to be round, square, or cubical in figure.

The word figure is believed to be synonymous to diagram or depiction.

Usage

In general usage, it may refer to a shape, drawing or representation. So calling any list or block of text, a "figure" is , generally, incorrect.

However, since a representation may also be classified as a figure, if the list or block of text represents something, e.g

A list representing the Military Decorations of the Army

it may be referred to as a figure. So if, in your publication, you are using the numbered or lettered lists to represent something, they may be called figures.