probability

American  

[prob-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌprɒb əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

probabilities

1. the quality or fact of being probable.

2. a strong likelihood or chance of something.

   The probability of the book's success makes us optimistic.

3. a probable event, circumstance, etc..

   Our going to China is a probability.

4. Statistics.

   1. the relative possibility that an event will occur, as expressed by the ratio of the number of actual occurrences to the total number of possible occurrences.

   2. the relative frequency with which an event occurs or is likely to occur.

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idioms

1. in all probability, very probably; quite likely.

   The factory will in all probability be relocated.

probability British  

/ ˌprɒbəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being probable

2. an event or other thing that is probable

3. statistics a measure or estimate of the degree of confidence one may have in the occurrence of an event, measured on a scale from zero (impossibility) to one (certainty). It may be defined as the proportion of favourable outcomes to the total number of possibilities if these are indifferent ( mathematical probability ), or the proportion observed in a sample ( empirical probability ), or the limit of this as the sample size tends to infinity ( relative frequency ), or by more subjective criteria ( subjective probability )

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probability Scientific  

/ prŏb′ə-bĭl′ĭ-tē /

1. A number expressing the likelihood of the occurrence of a given event, especially a fraction expressing how many times the event will happen in a given number of tests or experiments. For example, when rolling a six-sided die, the probability of rolling a particular side is 1 in 6, or 1/6.

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probability Cultural  

1. A number between zero and one that shows how likely a certain event is. Usually, probability is expressed as a ratio: the number of experimental results that would produce the event divided by the number of experimental results considered possible. Thus, the probability of drawing the ten of clubs from an ordinary deck of cards is one in fifty-two (1:52), or one fifty-second.

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probability More Idioms  

1. see in all probability.

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Other Word Forms

• nonprobability noun
• superprobability noun

Etymology

Origin of probability

From the Latin word probābilitās, dating back to 1545–55. See probable, -ity

Example Sentences

“This partnership combines journalistic insight with real-time market probabilities—including the most-watched business news like public company earnings reports—to create a truly comprehensive news experience for readers,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The market prices an 84% probability that the Federal Reserve will maintain steady interest rates later this month.

From Barron's

The market prices an 84% probability that the Federal Reserve will maintain steady interest rates later this month.

From Barron's

Such contracts were priced at just 8 cents apiece, implying that Polymarket users saw only an 8% probability of the Venezuelan strongman losing power this month, the platform’s data shows.

From The Wall Street Journal

The equations that describe how a quantum system evolves over time must conserve total probability, which always adds up to one, and they must allow processes to be reversed.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• anticipation
• chance
• contingency
• expectation
• feasibility
• odds
• possibility
• prospect