bell curve
noun
plural bell curves
: the symmetrical bell-shaped curve of a normal distribution : normal curve
Along the hilly slopes of the bell curve, most values—the data points that track whatever is being measured—are clustered around the middle. The average value is also the most common value.—
David A. Shaywitz
David A. ShaywitzExamples of bell curve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Just imposing on faculty a bell curve in grading every course would be immense intellectual hygiene.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024
In real life, the distribution of how much people drive looks more or less like a bell curve.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023
This despite the fact that the profession of science is skewed toward the right end of the intelligence bell curve.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2011
The number also appears in bell curves, which are found in statistics about random variables that add up.
—Kat Friedrich, Popular Mechanics, 16 Mar. 2023
Normally, violent crime trends is a bell curve.
—NBC News, 7 June 2021
Think about your performance like a bell curve.
—Melody Wilding, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2021
The graph of this looks a bit like an off-kilter bell curve.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2010
Over the past two years, spending for the four cryptocurrency advertisers has followed a classic bell curve.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
Brian T. Allen, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024
In real life, the distribution of how much people drive looks more or less like a bell curve.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023
This despite the fact that the profession of science is skewed toward the right end of the intelligence bell curve.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2011
The number also appears in bell curves, which are found in statistics about random variables that add up.
—Kat Friedrich, Popular Mechanics, 16 Mar. 2023
Normally, violent crime trends is a bell curve.
—NBC News, 7 June 2021
Think about your performance like a bell curve.
—Melody Wilding, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2021
The graph of this looks a bit like an off-kilter bell curve.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2010
Over the past two years, spending for the four cryptocurrency advertisers has followed a classic bell curve.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bell curve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bell curve
Cite this Entry
“Bell curve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bell%20curve. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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