moving average

noun

, Statistics.

1. one of a succession of averages of data from a time series, where each average is calculated by successively shifting the interval by the same period of time.

moving average

noun

1. statistics (of a sequence of values) a derived sequence of the averages of successive subsequences of a given number of members, often used in time series to even out short-term fluctuations and make a trend clearer

   the 3-term moving average of 4, 6, 8, 7, 9, 8 is 6, 7, 8

Word History and Origins

Origin of moving average¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Instead, he used well-established “denoising” techniques that, much like noise-canceling headphones, subtract a moving average of the record to catch the remaining signal.

From Science Magazine

The four-week moving average of jobless claim applications — which flattens out some of weekly volatility — fell by 7,750 to 213,250.

From Seattle Times

Labor’s layoffs data Thursday also showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claim applications — which flattens out some of weekly volatility — ticked up by 500 to 220,750.

From Seattle Times

The four-week moving average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, fell by 750 to 220,000.

From Seattle Times

The Australian dollar was held to $0.6541 after recoiling on Tuesday from resistance at its 200-day moving average at $0.6588.

From Reuters