analysis

noun anal·y·sis \ ə-ˈna-lə-səs \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of analysis

plural analyses play \-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) : calculus 1b

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

See analysis defined for English-language learners

See analysis defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of analysis from the Web

The rate at which black residents were detained for traffic or pedestrian stops was more than six times higher than whites, according to the ACLU’s analysis.

— Washington Post, "Milwaukee settles lawsuit over stop-and-frisk," 11 July 2018
In spite of his two high-profile errors that night, which have provoked much analysis and debate Liverpool should not be so hasty to rid themselves of the German shot-stopper.

— SI.com, "Why Liverpool Need to Forget Signing a New Keeper & Stick With Loris Karius," 10 July 2018
The capacity analysis will consider different ways to keep the trains moving and recommend alternatives to the holding track, Owen said.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Continuing Amtrak Hiawatha fight, Glenview to pay for $160,000 train traffic analysis," 10 July 2018
The staff analysis adds that the rural protection area protects the Econ, which is designated by the state as an Outstanding Water Body by the state.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Seminole County report blasts plan to build hundreds of homes in rural area," 10 July 2018
But this analysis has its limitations, including a small sample size of only 30 men.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Men’s ties may reduce blood flow to the brain and limit work performance, study suggests," 10 July 2018
The store will include a short track to test out shoes and high-tech amenities such as gait video analysis.

— jordyn noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Performance Running Outfitters moving out of Oconomowoc and into Delafield," 10 July 2018
But tarot readers, like therapists, respond to the verbal cues of their clients, and the cards’ meanings — and the resulting analysis — shifts within that context.

— katie heaney, The Cut, "Does Your Therapy Need More Tarot?," 10 July 2018
State environmental law, known as the California Environmental Quality Act, requires the city and developer Greystar to go back and conduct a more comprehensive analysis, the lawsuit says.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Opponents sue to block Hillcrest high-rise over community character concerns," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'analysis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of analysis

New Latin, from Greek, from analyein to break up, from ana- + lyein to loosen — more at lose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

analysis Synonyms

Synonyms

anatomizing, anatomy, assay, breakdown, deconstruction, dissection;

Near Antonyms

agglomeration, aggregation, amalgamation, assimilation, coalescence, conglomeration, consolidation, integration, synthesis, unification;

arrangement, assortment, cataloging (or cataloguing), categorization, classification, codification, indexing;

enumeration, inventory, itemization, tabulation;

division, reduction, segmentation, separation, subdivision;

ANALYSIS Defined for English Language Learners

analysis

noun

Definition of analysis for English Language Learners

: a careful study of something to learn about its parts, what they do, and how they are related to each other
: an explanation of the nature and meaning of something