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

/ 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

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

Notes

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

Many of Kenya’s Christians are Catholic - about 10 million people, or 20% of the population, according to government statistics.

From BBC

The number fell to 66,620 this year, of whom about half are researchers, the Russian statistics service Rosstat said in a report published on 8 November; others include support staff and technicians.

From Science Magazine

"Studying ancient DNA lets us reach back in time, tracking evolutionary changes directly in historical populations," said lead researcher Vagheesh Narasimhan, assistant professor of integrative biology and statistics and data sciences at UT Austin.

From Science Daily

Official state statistics showed that in the first six months of implementation, 17,000 Arkansans had lost their Medicaid eligibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Figures for Northern Ireland show young drivers are over-represented in collision statistics.

From BBC

Related Words

• data
• stats