analysis
noun
anal·y·sis
ə-ˈna-lə-səs 
plural analyses
ə-ˈna-lə-ˌsēz
1
a
: a detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features : a thorough study
doing a careful analysis of the problem
b
: a statement of such an examination
2
: separation of a whole into its component parts
3
a
: the identification or separation of ingredients of a substance
a chemical analysis of the soil
b
: a statement of the constituents of a mixture
4
mathematics
a
: proof of a mathematical proposition by assuming the result and deducing a valid statement by a series of reversible steps
b(1)
: a branch of mathematics concerned mainly with limits, continuity, and infinite series
(2)
5
: psychoanalysis
a patient who is in/undergoing analysis
6
a
: a method in philosophy of resolving complex expressions into simpler or more basic ones
b
: clarification of an expression by an elucidation of its use in discourse
7
linguistics
: the use of function words instead of inflectional forms as a characteristic device of a language
Synonyms
Examples of analysis in a Sentence
His analyses expose hidden fractures with the clarity of an X-ray, and his rhetorical skill, though modulated in a journalistic style, owes much to the give and take of Euripides' crisp dialogue.
—
G. W. Bowersock, New York Review of Books, 6 Nov. 2008
In order to depict economic decisions mathematically, economists needed to assume that human behavior is both rational and predictable. They imagined a representative human, Homo economicus, endowed with consistent preferences, stable moods, and an enviable ability to make only rational decisions. This sleight of hand yielded some theories that had genuine predictive value, but economists were obliged to exclude from their analyses many phenomena that didn't fit the … framework, such as stock-market bubbles, drug addiction, and compulsive shopping.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 18 Sept. 2006
Thus little more than a month before the convention was due to assemble in Philadelphia, James Madison fashioned a powerful and comprehensive analysis of the problems of federalism and republicanism.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
Thanks to some pioneering studies, and an increasing body of editions, translations, and detailed analyses, we now have a good general picture of the spiritual culture of late-medieval women on the Continent, especially in the Low Countries and Germany.
—Nicholas Watsons, Speculum, July 1993
a scientific analysis of the data
make a chemical analysis of the soil
a detailed analysis of the bone structure of horses
performing chemical analysis of the soil
The newspaper printed an analysis of each candidate's positions.
That's not a bad analysis of the situation.
It's a problem that requires careful analysis.
He has been in analysis for many years.
See More
G. W. Bowersock, New York Review of Books, 6 Nov. 2008
In order to depict economic decisions mathematically, economists needed to assume that human behavior is both rational and predictable. They imagined a representative human, Homo economicus, endowed with consistent preferences, stable moods, and an enviable ability to make only rational decisions. This sleight of hand yielded some theories that had genuine predictive value, but economists were obliged to exclude from their analyses many phenomena that didn't fit the … framework, such as stock-market bubbles, drug addiction, and compulsive shopping.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 18 Sept. 2006
Thus little more than a month before the convention was due to assemble in Philadelphia, James Madison fashioned a powerful and comprehensive analysis of the problems of federalism and republicanism.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
Thanks to some pioneering studies, and an increasing body of editions, translations, and detailed analyses, we now have a good general picture of the spiritual culture of late-medieval women on the Continent, especially in the Low Countries and Germany.
—Nicholas Watsons, Speculum, July 1993
a scientific analysis of the data
make a chemical analysis of the soil
a detailed analysis of the bone structure of horses
performing chemical analysis of the soil
The newspaper printed an analysis of each candidate's positions.
That's not a bad analysis of the situation.
It's a problem that requires careful analysis.
He has been in analysis for many years.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Newsletter Get our Essential Politics newsletter The latest news, analysis and insights from our politics team.
—Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Newsletter Sign-up WSJ Pro Cybersecurity Cybersecurity news, analysis and insights from WSJ's global team of reporters and editors.
—Kim S. Nash, WSJ, 20 Sep. 2023
Overall tax income, at all levels of government, dropped 3.5% in 2022 from the previous year, the biggest fall since China reformed its tax regime in 1993, according to a CNN analysis based on government statistics.
—Laura He, CNN, 20 Sep. 2023
In 2011 Keith and Caldeira published an analysis suggesting that a meaningful stratospheric-injection trial would take a decade.
—Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023
Two of the GOP hopefuls who participated in last month’s first debate — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson — have yet to meet the polling requirements needed to qualify for the debate, according to an NBC News analysis.
—Mark Murray, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
Texas high school football games Week 5 Dallas-area high school football rankings: Non-traditional powers rise up the polls
10 players to watch in Week 5: Trever Ham, Armirie Williams-Hall stun at quarterback
High School Sports
The latest news, analysis, predictions and more for each season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023
Because of promotional discounts and other financial goodies from the three major mobile providers in the United States, a typical American has been paying nearly $400 less than the list price for a top-tier iPhone, according to an analysis by BayStreet Research.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
While Virginia voters don't register by party, voting history analysis has shown Democrats have tended to dominate the early voting numbers in recent years.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Newsletter Sign-up WSJ Pro Cybersecurity Cybersecurity news, analysis and insights from WSJ's global team of reporters and editors.
—Kim S. Nash, WSJ, 20 Sep. 2023
Overall tax income, at all levels of government, dropped 3.5% in 2022 from the previous year, the biggest fall since China reformed its tax regime in 1993, according to a CNN analysis based on government statistics.
—Laura He, CNN, 20 Sep. 2023
In 2011 Keith and Caldeira published an analysis suggesting that a meaningful stratospheric-injection trial would take a decade.
—Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023
Two of the GOP hopefuls who participated in last month’s first debate — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson — have yet to meet the polling requirements needed to qualify for the debate, according to an NBC News analysis.
—Mark Murray, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
Texas high school football games Week 5 Dallas-area high school football rankings: Non-traditional powers rise up the polls
10 players to watch in Week 5: Trever Ham, Armirie Williams-Hall stun at quarterback
High School Sports
The latest news, analysis, predictions and more for each season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023
Because of promotional discounts and other financial goodies from the three major mobile providers in the United States, a typical American has been paying nearly $400 less than the list price for a top-tier iPhone, according to an analysis by BayStreet Research.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
While Virginia voters don't register by party, voting history analysis has shown Democrats have tended to dominate the early voting numbers in recent years.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'analysis.' 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
borrowed from Medieval Latin, borrowed from Greek análysis "loosing, releasing, breaking something down into its elements, solution of a problem," from analýein "to loosen, undo, dissolve, resolve into constituent elements," from ana- ana- + lýein "to loosen, undo" — more at lose
First Known Use
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing analysis
Dictionary Entries Near analysis
Cite this Entry
“Analysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analysis. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
analysis
noun
anal·y·sis
ə-ˈnal-ə-səs
plural analyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
a
: an examination of a whole to discover its elements and their relations
b
: a statement of such an analysis
2
: an explanation of the nature and meaning of something
analysis of the news
3
: the identification or separation of the parts of a substance
4
Etymology
derived from Greek, from analyein "to break up," from ana- "up" and lyein "to loosen"
Medical Definition
analysis
noun
anal·y·sis
ə-ˈnal-ə-səs
plural analyses
-ˌsēz
1
: separation of a whole into its component parts
2
a
: the identification or separation of ingredients of a substance
b
: a statement of the constituents of a mixture
3
More from Merriam-Webster on analysis
Nglish: Translation of analysis for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of analysis for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about analysis
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