control variable

[ kuhn-trohl vair-ee-uh-buhl ]

noun

1. Also control. Statistics. a person, group, event, etc., that is used as a constant and unchanging standard of comparison in scientific experimentation. Compare dependent variable ( def 2 ), independent variable ( def 2 ).
2. (in computer programming) a variable that is used to regulate the flow of control, or order of execution, generally the number of times a loop will execute.

Word History and Origins

Origin of control variable¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Omitting health status as a control variable increases the estimated hazard ratio to 1.10 (95 percent CI, 1.03–1.19).

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