statistics

American  

[stuh-tis-tiks] / stəˈtɪs tɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the science that deals with the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical facts or data, and that, by use of mathematical theories of probability, imposes order and regularity on aggregates of more or less disparate elements.

2. (used with a plural verb) the numerical facts or data themselves.

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statistics British  

/ stəˈtɪstɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as plural) quantitative data on any subject, esp data comparing the distribution of some quantity for different subclasses of the population

   statistics for earnings by different age groups

2. (functioning as singular)

   1. the classification and interpretation of such data in accordance with probability theory and the application of methods such as hypothesis testing to them

   2. the mathematical study of the theoretical nature of such distributions and tests See also descriptive statistics statistical inference

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statistics Scientific  

/ stə-tĭs′tĭks /

1. The branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data. Statistics is especially useful in drawing general conclusions about a set of data from a sample of the data.

2. Numerical data.

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statistics Cultural  

1. The branch of mathematics dealing with numerical data. (See mean, median, mode, normal distribution curve, sample, standard deviation, and statistical significance.)

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Discover More

A particular problem of statistics is estimating true values of parameters from a sample of data.

Etymology

Origin of statistics

First recorded in 1770–80; from German Statistik “political science, statistics,” from New Latin (collēgium) statisticum “(council) of state,” from statisticus “pertaining to state affairs,” and from Italian statista “politician, statesman,” derivative of stato “state,” ultimately from Latin status “constitution, public order”; see origin at status, -ics

Explanation

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that allows you to draw conclusions about a large group of people based on information collected from a smaller group. It's also a tough college math course. Say an Australian study reports that 45% of fifteen-year-old Australians like grape soda. The people who conducted that study didn't interview 45% of Australian fifteen-year-olds; they interviewed perhaps a fraction of the Australian fifteen-year-old population and based their conclusions about the entire population on that. This is the essence of statistics, and the uncertainty surrounding such studies is one reason why people who practice statistics have to take tough college courses.

Example Sentences

Salah is among the fastest players in Premier League history, registering a top speed of 36.64km/h, in 2021, according to official Opta statistics.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

"I'm here with my film and I tell myself, 'I’m lucky to be here,' that things are moving forward and then someone shows me the statistics," she told AFP.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Figures on appeals are published every three months by the Ministry of Justice, at a different time from other government asylum statistics.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

“Both the industrial and services sectors contributed to this growth,” the statistics office said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

When he’s finished, he compiles statistics and concludes confidently that a flea’s ears are in its back legs.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• data
• stats