regression analysis

American  

noun

1. Statistics. a procedure for determining a relationship between a dependent variable, as predicted success in college, and an independent variable, as a score on a scholastic aptitude test, for a given population. The relationship is expressed as an equation for a line regressionline or curve regressioncurve in which any coefficient regression coefficient of the independent variable in the equation has been determined from a sample population.

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Etymology

Origin of regression analysis

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The final sample for the baseline regression analysis consists of about 10 million repeat sales.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

In 1975, as a student at Harvard, I wrote the first law review note calling for the use of statistical regression analysis in employment discrimination cases.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

"A big question in biology is the genetic basis for disease. The classic way to determine this is through genome studies and regression analysis that matches genes with disease risk," Margres said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

The analysis included using the eiCompare R package to perform ecological inference using multiple methods; reviewing voting patterns where an ethnic group made up at least 60 percent of the voting population; and regression analysis.

From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2023

No, regression analysis is not some forgotten form of psychiatric treatment.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt