decile

[ des-il, -ahyl ]

noun

, Statistics.

1. one of the values of a variable that divides the distribution of the variable into ten groups having equal frequencies.

decile

/ -aɪl; ˈdɛsɪl /

noun

1. statistics
   1. one of nine actual or notional values of a variable dividing its distribution into ten groups with equal frequencies: the ninth decile is the value below which 90% of the population lie See also percentile
   2. a tenth part of a distribution

Word History and Origins

Origin of decile¹

First recorded in 1880–85; dec- + -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of decile¹

C17: from deca- + -ile

Example Sentences

The top hedge funds in their weighted composite index had a positive 10.9% return while the bottom decile averaged a negative 14.3%.

From Reuters

For comparing similarly sized departments in the table, searches are matched to nearby departments in the same nationwide decile in terms of number of officers.

From Washington Post

Mississippi has the nation’s highest fetal mortality rate, highest infant mortality rate, highest pre-term birth rate and is in the top decile of states in maternal mortality.

From Seattle Times

While the top decile of hedge funds posted an average positive performance of 33.9% in the first five months of the year, the bottom was down 25.7%.

From Reuters

In San Francisco, men in their 50s have the highest rates of overdose deaths among all age deciles.

From New York Times