histogram

American  

[his-tuh-gram] / ˈhɪs təˌgræm /

noun

Statistics.

1. a graph of a frequency distribution in which rectangles with bases on the horizontal axis are given widths equal to the class intervals and heights equal to the corresponding frequencies.

---

histogram British  

/ ˈhɪstəˌɡræm /

noun

1. a statistical graph that represents the frequency of values of a quantity by vertical rectangles of varying heights and widths. The width of the rectangles is in proportion to the class interval under consideration, and their areas represent the relative frequency of the phenomenon in question See also stem-and-leaf diagram

---

Etymology

Origin of histogram

First recorded in 1890–95; histo- + -gram ¹

Explanation

Histogram is a fancy word for "bar graph." If you use the word histogram to describe a chart that uses bars or rectangles to display how often something happens, your math teacher will be impressed. The benefit of a histogram is that instead of a list of numbers, you can see information graphed on a bar chart, which makes it much more easy to understand. The word comes from the Greek root histos which means both "the mast of a ship" and "anything set upright," like the bars on a histogram.

Example Sentences

Construct a histogram of the Japanese American community in Santa Clara County.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

The histogram will display with a window automatically set.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

In complete sentences, describe the shape of the histogram.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

A histogram is a graphic version of a frequency distribution.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Renesting following disruption of first nests is regular, and the small peak in the histogram in the period June 11-20 is representative of this.

From The Breeding Birds of Kansas by Johnston, Richard F.