analysis

American  

[uh-nal-uh-sis] / əˈnæl ə sɪs /

noun

• analyses
  plural

1. 

   the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (opposed to synthesis).

2. this process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations.

   the grammatical analysis of a sentence.

3. a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process.

   The paper published an analysis of the political situation.

4. a philosophical method of exhibiting complex concepts or propositions as compounds or functions of more basic ones.

5. Mathematics.

   1. an investigation based on the properties of numbers.

   2. the discussion of a problem by algebra, as opposed to geometry.

   3. the branch of mathematics consisting of calculus and its higher developments.

   4. a system of calculation, as combinatorial analysis or vector analysis.

   5. a method of proving a proposition by assuming the result and working backward to something that is known to be true.

6. Chemistry.

   1. intentionally produced decomposition or separation of materials into their ingredients or elements, as to find their kind or quantity.

   2. the ascertainment of the kind or amount of one or more of the constituents of materials, whether obtained in separate form or not.

7. psychoanalysis.

8. Computers. systems analysis.

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analysis British  

/ əˈnælɪsɪs /

noun

1. the division of a physical or abstract whole into its constituent parts to examine or determine their relationship or value Compare synthesis

2. a statement of the results of this

3. short for psychoanalysis

4. chem

   1. the decomposition of a substance into its elements, radicals, or other constituents in order to determine the kinds of constituents present ( qualitative analysis ) or the amount of each constituent ( quantitative analysis )

   2. the result obtained by such a determination

5. linguistics the use of word order together with word function to express syntactic relations in a language, as opposed to the use of inflections Compare synthesis

6. maths the branch of mathematics principally concerned with the properties of functions, largely arising out of calculus

7. philosophy (in the writings of Kant) the separation of a concept from another that contains it Compare synthesis

8. after everything has been given due consideration

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analysis Scientific  

/ ə-năl′ĭ-sĭs /

1. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements, usually by chemical means, for the study and identification of each component.

2. ◆ Qualitative analysis determines what substances are present in a compound.

3. ◆ Quantitative analysis determines how much of each substance is present in a compound.

4. A branch of mathematics concerned with limits and convergence and principally involving differential calculus, integral calculus, sequences, and series.

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Usage

Plural word for analysis The plural form of analysis is analyses, pronounced [ uh-nal-uh-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in the same way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like analyses derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek. Do you know: What is the plural of thesis?

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• misanalysis
  noun
• overanalysis
  noun
• reanalysis
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• analyses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of analysis

First recorded in 1575–85; from New Latin, from Greek, equivalent to analȳ́(ein) “to loosen up” ( ana- “up, against, back” + lȳ́ein “to loosen”) + -sis noun suffix; see ana-, -sis

Explanation

Use the noun analysis to refer to the way you understand something by looking at it in different ways and studying its different parts. Analysis is a noun that is used in many ways and by many fields. It makes sense, since it is "a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations," which means everyone does it at some point. In fact, every time you solve a problem you use analysis. Analysis is also shorthand for psychoanalysis, used for understanding psychological and mental processes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

analysis analyses

Their analysis focused on adults with diabetes between 2012 and 2023.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

Hecht’s comments “reflect one employee’s individual perspective, are not a legal analysis, and do not represent the company’s views,” a Microsoft representative said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

"Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games," World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland said.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Using technologies such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, the researchers carried out a broad analysis of the fats present in japonica rice.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026

According to the newscaster, it was being taken in for forensic analysis.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Alas, there’s nothing new or uncommon about self-interested financial studies posing as objective analyses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

President's Daily Briefs are among the most secretive intelligence analyses in the US government, and typically remain classified for 40 or 50 years after publication.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Its platform can run portfolio reviews, for example, and provide analyses of client relationships that allow advisers to give more bespoke advice, Rahul Rekhi, Rogo’s president, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Researchers are also conducting microbiological analyses to understand what happens to bacteria inside periodontal pockets during treatment.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

I have included in my report all of my formulas, as well as mathematical analyses of the data in the appendix.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Related Words

• evaluation
• finding
• interpretation
• judgment
• opinion
• reasoning
• report
• study
• summary