statistics

American  

[stuh-tis-tiks] / stəˈtɪs tɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the science that deals with the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical facts or data, and that, by use of mathematical theories of probability, imposes order and regularity on aggregates of more or less disparate elements.

2. (used with a plural verb) the numerical facts or data themselves.

---

statistics British  

/ stəˈtɪstɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as plural) quantitative data on any subject, esp data comparing the distribution of some quantity for different subclasses of the population

   statistics for earnings by different age groups

2. (functioning as singular)

   1. the classification and interpretation of such data in accordance with probability theory and the application of methods such as hypothesis testing to them

   2. the mathematical study of the theoretical nature of such distributions and tests See also descriptive statistics statistical inference

---

statistics Scientific  

/ stə-tĭs′tĭks /

1. The branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data. Statistics is especially useful in drawing general conclusions about a set of data from a sample of the data.

2. Numerical data.

---

statistics Cultural  

1. The branch of mathematics dealing with numerical data. (See mean, median, mode, normal distribution curve, sample, standard deviation, and statistical significance.)

---

Discover More

A particular problem of statistics is estimating true values of parameters from a sample of data.

Etymology

Origin of statistics

First recorded in 1770–80; from German Statistik “political science, statistics,” from New Latin (collēgium) statisticum “(council) of state,” from statisticus “pertaining to state affairs,” and from Italian statista “politician, statesman,” derivative of stato “state,” ultimately from Latin status “constitution, public order”; see origin at status, -ics

Explanation

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that allows you to draw conclusions about a large group of people based on information collected from a smaller group. It's also a tough college math course. Say an Australian study reports that 45% of fifteen-year-old Australians like grape soda. The people who conducted that study didn't interview 45% of Australian fifteen-year-olds; they interviewed perhaps a fraction of the Australian fifteen-year-old population and based their conclusions about the entire population on that. This is the essence of statistics, and the uncertainty surrounding such studies is one reason why people who practice statistics have to take tough college courses.

Example Sentences

The country for March recorded a merchandise-trade surplus of 1.78 billion Canadian dollars, the equivalent of about US$1.31 billion, Statistics Canada said Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

In December, 1.3% percent of workers were laid off in California, a number that has grown since July 2022 when it was 0.6%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The national labor-force participation rate—which provides a measure of the economy’s active, productive base—fell to 61.9% in March 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

However, NRS has now said a recent drop in estimated international migration by UK data body, the Office for National Statistics, means Scotland's population is projected to be lower.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Some of the defects and malformations in tomorrow’s children, grimly anticipated by the Office of Vital Statistics, will almost certainly be caused by these chemicals that permeate our outer and inner worlds.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• data
• stats