statistic

noun

sta·​tis·​tic stə-ˈti-stik How to pronounce statistic (audio)
1
: a single term or datum in a collection of statistics
2
a
: a quantity (such as the mean of a sample) that is computed from a sample
specifically : estimate sense 1b
b
: a random variable that takes on the possible values of a statistic

Examples of statistic in a Sentence

One statistic that stuck out is that 40 percent of those surveyed did not have college degrees.
Recent Examples on the Web The statistics body said this was beginning to have an effect on economic growth, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 Mar. 2024 Still, that number was meager, with just 12 companies disclosing internal promotion statistics. Byruth Umoh, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 According to the same statistics, two-thirds of women who survive violence never tell anyone about it or seek help. Andrei Popoviciu, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024 Many economists argue the official statistics in the consumer price index are delayed and aren’t yet accounting for real-time measures that show rents either stabilizing or falling nationwide. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 To avoid being part of these growing statistics, keep your guard up, because even the most financially savvy can fall prey to tactics employed by these criminals. Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Curators hope these humanizing objects will help visitors see the victims as people, rather than statistics. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 The closures affect the roughly 200,000 people directly or indirectly employed in the hammam sector, which accounts for roughly 2% of the country’s total water consumption, according to Morocco’s national statistics agency. Sam Metz, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Still, the governor’s deployment comes as statistics show a murkier picture this year: Three homicides have taken place since January, and several brutal assaults, including the slashing of the conductor, have once again raised questions about safety. Ana Ley, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'statistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

singular of statistics

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of statistic was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near statistic

Cite this Entry

“Statistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statistic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

statistic

noun
sta·​tis·​tic stə-ˈtis-tik How to pronounce statistic (audio)
: a single item of information in a statistical collection

More from Merriam-Webster on statistic

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