moving average

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. one of a succession of averages of data from a time series, where each average is calculated by successively shifting the interval by the same period of time.

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moving average British  

noun

1. statistics (of a sequence of values) a derived sequence of the averages of successive subsequences of a given number of members, often used in time series to even out short-term fluctuations and make a trend clearer

   the 3-term moving average of 4, 6, 8, 7, 9, 8 is 6, 7, 8

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Etymology

Origin of moving average

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

moving average

Qnity Electronics stock has recaptured its 200-day moving average and could be forming a double bottom, setting up a potential 74% gain.

From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026

Note: 12-month moving average unemployment rate for age 16+, all education levels, compared with each group's unemployment history since 2003; October 2025 interpolated.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The index last closed below its 50-day moving average on April 10, which marked the end of a correction phase that included a 5,000-point drop at its low point.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Gold benefited from the ensuing weakness in the U.S. dollar, with the yellow metal breaking above its 200-day moving average, Truist Wealth CIO Keith Lerner told MarketWatch in an interview Friday.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

The S&P 500 closed above its 50-day moving average on Friday after a brief spell below it.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026