vital statistics

American  

plural noun

1. statistics concerning human life or the conditions affecting human life and the maintenance of population.

2. Facetious. the measurements of a woman's figure, especially the bust, waist, and hips.

---

vital statistics British  

plural noun

1. quantitative data concerning human life or the conditions and aspects affecting it, such as the death rate

2. informal the measurements of a woman's bust, waist, and hips

---

Etymology

Origin of vital statistics

1830–40; 1940–45 vital statistics for def. 2

Example Sentences

And states employ a variety of mechanisms to verify voters’ identities against databases such as the Social Security Administration, state departments of motor vehicles, state bureaus of vital statistics or health departments, and the U.S.

From Slate • Nov. 4, 2024

Recording their vital statistics helps zookeepers monitor animals' health and wellbeing.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2023

Bryant and her colleagues at Mass General Brigham and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington started with national vital statistics data on deaths and live births.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2023

For LaVelle, 65, the benefits of fencing off critical tortoise habitat surrounded by desert boomtowns, freeways and solar energy facilities were obvious as she ticked off the vital statistics of the young tortoise she discovered.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2022

Over the green-and-white fields, printed in red, were vital statistics.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor