central tendency
noun
: the degree of clustering of the values of a statistical distribution that is usually measured by the arithmetic mean, mode, or median
Examples of central tendency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To observe the frequency distributions of the sentences, the Herald checked central tendency measures like medians, modes and standard deviations.
—
Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The central tendency is a set of numbers giving a fuller view of how widely those individual projections spread apart.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
This is worsened by the fact many pollsters provide only two possible answers to a question in lieu of a more representative and comprehensive Likert scale, eliminating the central tendency and artificially reducing a spectrum of responses towards dichotomous poles.
—Steven Tian, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2022
The rate of adaptation is proportional to the amount of heritable phenotypic variation extant within the population, because selection needs variance away from the old optimum toward the new one to shift the population central tendency.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2010
There are three basic measures of central tendency, and three not-so-basic.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2021
In fact the distribution was closer to normal, with a central tendency and a variance about the mode.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2010
Avoid the central tendency bias as your employees will likely perform differently.
—Erin Imhof, Forbes, 23 June 2021
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Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The central tendency is a set of numbers giving a fuller view of how widely those individual projections spread apart.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
This is worsened by the fact many pollsters provide only two possible answers to a question in lieu of a more representative and comprehensive Likert scale, eliminating the central tendency and artificially reducing a spectrum of responses towards dichotomous poles.
—Steven Tian, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2022
The rate of adaptation is proportional to the amount of heritable phenotypic variation extant within the population, because selection needs variance away from the old optimum toward the new one to shift the population central tendency.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2010
There are three basic measures of central tendency, and three not-so-basic.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2021
In fact the distribution was closer to normal, with a central tendency and a variance about the mode.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2010
Avoid the central tendency bias as your employees will likely perform differently.
—Erin Imhof, Forbes, 23 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Central tendency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central%20tendency. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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