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

While Nipah carries a high fatality rate and lacks approved vaccines, the probability of it developing into a global pandemic remains low, limiting any sustained upside for glove demand, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tony Sycamore, market strategist at IG Australia, puts the probability of coordinated intervention by Japan and the U.S. jointly selling dollars and buying yen in meaningful quantities at around 20% or less.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, each percentage point that mortgage rates exceed a homeowner’s existing fixed rate reduces the probability of a sale by about 18%.

From Barron's

Then in a U-turn earlier this month, it said there was a connection "on the balance of probabilities".

From BBC

The health board, the equivalent of an NHS Trust elsewhere in the UK, now says it accepts that on the "balance of probabilities" the hospital environment, particularly the water system, caused some infections.

From BBC

Related Words

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