STATISTICS Definition & Meaning

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statistics

[ stuh-tis-tiks ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

statistics

/ ��əˈ��ɪ��ɪ�� /

noun

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
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

/ ��ə-��ĭ��′��ĭ�� /

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.
Numerical data.

statistics

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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Notes

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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of statistics¹

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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of statistics¹

C18 (originally ``science dealing with facts of a state''): via German Statistik , from New Latin statisticus concerning state affairs, from Latin status state

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If you look at the statistics in suicide, it predominately swings male — there’s an issue happening where men are really struggling.

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The UK's official statistics agency, whose information is at the heart of decisions affecting millions of people, is under review following criticisms about its data.

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The Los Angeles wildfires brought the fear generated by these statistics into bold relief.

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Such statistics, which came from the Pew Research Center, have since been updated: 30% of older adults lack internet connectivity and 24% are without smartphones.

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In a sign of England's complete domination, they had 569 successful passes in Latvia's half compared to the visitors' 26 in theirs, and must be disappointed such overwhelming statistics resulted in relatively meagre results.

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