statistics

noun

sta·​tis·​tics stə-ˈti-stiks How to pronounce statistics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of masses of numerical data
2
: a collection of quantitative data

Examples of statistics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The system combines players’ and teams’ statistics to rank players according to their productivity on the court. Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2023 Users can combine points totals, moneyline bets or many other wagers with individual statistics like yards thrown or touchdowns caught. Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023 So why are productivity statistics so underwhelming? Andy Kessler, WSJ, 12 Feb. 2023 About a dozen people at the firm worked on the report, including econometricians, who use statistics to model and predict outcomes, the people said. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2023 Ryan cites a 2006 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other government statistics that highlight several reasons for this increase. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 Branfman has been recording coronavirus statistics on a notepad since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Steven Vargasstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2023 Weekly numbers — and the IRS does issue data on filing statistics weekly — can shift dramatically. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 10 Feb. 2023 Currently, official federal statistics do not even provide basic data on private school or home-school enrollment beyond 2019. Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'statistics.' 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

German Statistik study of political facts and figures, from New Latin statisticus of politics, from Latin status state

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of statistics was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near statistics

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

statistics

noun singular or plural
sta·​tis·​tics stə-ˈtis-tiks How to pronounce statistics (audio)
: a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection and study of numerical data
also : a collection of such numerical data
statistical
-ˈtis-ti-kəl
adjective
statistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on statistics

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