biostatistics

noun

bio·​sta·​tis·​tics ˌbī-ō-stə-ˈti-stiks How to pronounce biostatistics (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: statistics applied to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of biological data and especially data relating to human biology, health, and medicine
biostatistical adjective
biostatistician noun

Examples of biostatistics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mangurian is a professor of psychiatry, epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as the vice chair for diversity and health equity at UC San Francisco. Karen Garciastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2023 Sharon Browning, a research professor of biostatistics at the University of Washington, agrees. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2019 The other is a post-doctoral fellow in biostatistics. Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2022 If changes in behavior did indeed drive down spread, relaxing precautions could drive it back up, said Ira Longini, professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida. Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2022 Knowing the proportion of asymptomatic cases can help predict where the pandemic is going, said Dr. Rebecca Fischer, an assistant professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2022 Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, told USA TODAY the outbreak is almost certainly not related to the COVID vaccine. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 May 2022 Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, says people trust their doctor for COVID-19 information more than the CDC or any public health department. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2022 Sheppard, who has expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics and exposure assessment, served on the committee from 2015 to 2018. Matthew Daly, Star Tribune, 18 June 2021

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biostatistics was circa 1865

Dictionary Entries Near biostatistics

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

biostatistics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
bio·​sta·​tis·​tics -stə-ˈtis-tiks How to pronounce biostatistics (audio)
: statistics applied to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of biological data and especially data relating to human biology, health, and medicine
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