Definition of bias
1 : a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric; especially : a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
2a : a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowlingb : the tendency of a bowl to swerve; also : the impulse causing this tendencyc : the swerve of the bowl
3a : bent, tendencyb : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudicec : an instance of such prejudiced (1) : deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates (2) : systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
4a : a voltage applied to a device (such as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operationb : a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of bias in a Sentence
… members of the opinion media will cherry-pick moments from the debate that support their own ideological biases. —Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 16 Oct. 2000
Blatant racial and gender discrimination is just about over, creating a sociological space in which to worry about subtler forms of bias. —Gregg Easterbrook, New Republic, 20 Dec. 1999
Like the printing press before it, the computer has a powerful bias toward amplifying personal autonomy and individual problem-solving. —Katha Pollitt, Nation, 9 Oct. 1995
He showed a bias toward a few workers in particular.
Do they have a bias against women?
The company was accused of racial bias.
The decision was made without bias.
She showed no bias toward older clients.
a student with a strong bias towards the arts
Recent Examples of bias from the Web
-
But might there have been a little anti-recency bias at work?
-
Lower court judges have cited Trump’s comments on the campaign trail as evidence that it was motivated by anti-Muslim bias.
-
Now, according to the Post, some have begun considering an offensive against the press, trawling through reporters’ work for mistakes, biases and inaccuracies to use as ammunition.
-
The importance of global parsimony and historical bias in understanding tetrapod evolution.
-
Both prior successful judicial recalls in California, in 1913 in San Francisco and 1932 in Los Angeles, have involved bias.
-
Follow Stories Like This Sign Up The Commission has come under fire in the United States for a perceived bias against US companies.
-
No music needed—the voices of Dick Vitale and Jay Bilas (showing a bit of Duke bias) form the perfect soundtrack.
-
Such biases make OSSOS more likely to find objects in regions that support the Planet Nine hypothesis, says OSSOS team member Michele Bannister, an astronomer at Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bias.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of bias
Middle French biais
Synonym Discussion of bias
Other Psychology Terms
bias vs. biased
In recent years, we have seen more evidence of the adjectival bias in constructions like “a bias news program” instead of the more usual “a biased news program.” The reason is likely because of aural confusion: the -ed of biased may be filtered out by hearers, which means that bias and biased can sound similar in the context of normal speech. They are not interchangeable, however. The adjective that means “exhibited or characterized by an unreasoned judgment” is biased (“a biased news story”). There is an adjective bias, but it means “diagonal” and is used only of fabrics (“a bias cut across the fabric”).
Origin and Etymology of bias
see 1bias
Examples of bias in a Sentence
made of fabric cut bias
Origin and Etymology of bias
see 1bias
Other Clothing Terms
Definition of bias
biased
orbiassed
;biasing
orbiassing
transitive verb
1 : to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook to his background biases him against foreigners
2 : to apply a slight negative or positive voltage to (something, such as a transistor)
Examples of bias in a Sentence
Unfortunately, his convictions are not clearly and logically developed; they mostly lurk in the background biasing his reporting. He does not always give the reader a fair chance to follow the arguments of the actors—even those with whom he ardently agrees. —Leonard Silk, New York Times Book Review24 Feb. 1980
I don't want to bias you against the movie, but I thought the book was much better.
The circumstances could bias the results of the survey.
Recent Examples of bias from the Web
-
On New Zealand's North Brother Island, for instance, rising temperatures have already biased the local tuatara population male—
-
Admittedly biased, Prue said the celebration boasts two nights of the best fireworks in the region, along with games, entertainment and exhibits for visitors both days.
-
Some of his ire is aimed at Rosenstein and investigative special counsel Robert Mueller, both of whom the president believes are biased against him, associates say.
-
Fri 6/16: The Vic (3145 N. Sheffield) welcomes accomplished comedian W. Kamau Bell, whose credits include Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, Conan, and United Shades of America.
-
Derek Rotondo, a J.P. Morgan employee and father of two young children, filed a complaint against the company on Wednesday alleging that its leave policy is biased against fathers.
-
While some firms might fail to recruit a diverse pool of candidates, other companies might do fine on recruiting but have biased performance reviews or promotion processes, for example.
-
May be biased but someone was a star at her 4-year-old dance recital!
-
For one, these measures might be biased by the tendency for respondents to over-report voting for the winner.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bias.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of bias
see 1bias
Synonym Discussion of bias
BIAS Defined for English Language Learners
bias
playDefinition of bias for English Language Learners
-
: a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly
-
: a strong interest in something or ability to do something
bias
playDefinition of bias for English Language Learners
-
: to have a strong and often unfair influence on (someone or something)
BIAS Defined for Kids
Definition of bias for Students
biased
orbiassed
;biasing
orbiassing
: to give a prejudiced outlook to Existing ideas may bias his observation of events.
Law Dictionary
Learn More about bias
-
See words that rhyme with bias Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bias Spanish Central: Translation of bias Nglish: Translation of bias for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bias for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up bias? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!