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

There are three basic measures of central tendency, and three not-so-basic. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for central tendency

• independency
• ascendancy
• ascendency
• dependency
• interdependency
• superintendency
• pendency

Kids Definition

central tendency

noun

: the extent to which statistical values fall around a middle value

the mean, median, and mode are all used to measure central tendency