analysis

noun

anal·​y·​sis ə-ˈna-lə-səs How to pronounce analysis (audio)
plural analyses ə-ˈna-lə-ˌsēz How to pronounce analysis (audio)
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
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

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 on the Web Here’s a leadership story that successfully uses conflict: CEO: C-suite news, analysis, and advice for top decision makers right to your inbox. Esther K. Choy, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Here’s Anthony’s analysis on the domestic situation. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024 The new average plan bid for a standard Part D coverage increases by 179% for 2025 partly due to an underestimation of federal attributions to the Part D changes, according to the analysis. Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Oct. 2024 Precincts in Navajo Nation ranged from 60% to 90% support for Biden, the analysis found, and some precincts in Tohono O’odham Nation reached 98%. Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for analysis 

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

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of analysis was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near analysis

Cite this Entry

“Analysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analysis. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

analysis

noun
anal·​y·​sis ə-ˈnal-ə-səs How to pronounce analysis (audio)
plural analyses -ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce analysis (audio)
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 How to pronounce analysis (audio)
plural analyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce analysis (audio)
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

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