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.

---

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

---

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.

---

statistics Cultural  

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

---

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”; status, -ics

Example Sentences

Investors should remember that crunching basic statistics about market history isn’t a way to build a portfolio.

From Barron's

There are no official statistics available on stateless people here because they tend to slip through the cracks.

From BBC

It was the second year in a row that immigration-related criminal cases surged, according to the judiciary’s statistics.

From The Wall Street Journal

When he takes the first snap in Pasadena, he won’t be thinking of personal statistics or awards, he’ll be thinking about the national championship.

From Los Angeles Times

Things seem bleak now, but buried under all the terrible statistics and policy is a message we can’t ignore: we must act.

From Salon

Related Words

• data
• stats