probability theory

American  

noun

Mathematics, Statistics.

1. the theory of analyzing and making statements concerning the probability of the occurrence of uncertain events.

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Etymology

Origin of probability theory

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

“Anthropologists, sociologists, historians and psychologists, as well as those working on probability theory and physics, took him to have important insights for their disciplines.”

From New York Times • May 28, 2023

This direction of developing probability theory for more complicated structures than numbers is an example.

From Scientific American • Nov. 22, 2022

Lizza’s mother, Oksana, a professor of probability theory and statistical mathematics at Pryazovskyi State Technical University, didn’t want to leave without her own parents, who lived in another neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2022

He helped lay the foundations of calculus and probability theory.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2022

Hacking’s identification of probability theory as a particular mode of thought could, however, have served to clarify the intellectual alternatives that were available before the emergence of probability.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton