statistics

[stuh-tis-tiks]

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

/ 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

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

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

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

Word 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

Word 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

Example Sentences

The ONS has come under fire in recent months over the reliability of some of its statistics, particularly its jobs market figures.

From BBC

The number of children being home schooled in Wales has almost tripled since before the Covid-19 pandemic, statistics have shown.

From BBC

People born abroad, and their children born in Sweden, are over-represented in crime statistics.

From BBC

Those statistics are even more stark for London where it rises to almost one in 10 - the equivalent of 110,000 people.

From BBC

"The actual statistics don't indicate that this is a major relationship for us," Mr Parmeter says.

From BBC

Related Words

• data 
• stats www.thesaurus.com