correlation coefficient

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. one of a number of measures of correlation, usually assuming values from +1 to −1.

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correlation coefficient British  

noun

1. statistics a statistic measuring the degree of correlation between two variables as by dividing their covariance by the square root of the product of their variances. The closer the correlation coefficient is to 1 or –1 the greater the correlation; if it is random, the coefficient is zero See also Pearson's correlation coefficient Spearman's rank-order coefficient

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Etymology

Origin of correlation coefficient

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

The correlation coefficient for all rolling four-month periods since 1926 is slightly negative — meaning there’s a slightly greater-than-even chance that four-month relative strength will be followed by four months of relative weakness.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

Based on all rolling 12-month periods since 2013, the correlation coefficient between these two assets is minus 27%.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 23, 2026

According to Kim, people often think first of Pearson's correlation coefficient when they hear the word agreement, since it is introduced early in statistics education and remains a fundamental tool.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

This simply cannot be accomplished with a correlation coefficient.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Moreover, the nature of our data is such that even if there is a strong connection between solar changes and earth movements, we should not expect a large correlation coefficient.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth