confidence interval

noun

: a group of continuous or discrete adjacent values that is used to estimate a statistical parameter (such as a mean or variance) and that tends to include the true value of the parameter a predetermined proportion of the time if the process of finding the group of values is repeated a number of times

Examples of confidence interval in a Sentence

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At a mean photon number of 11, the researchers measured bit-flip times ranging between 33 and 60 minutes at a 95 percent confidence interval. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025 The survey's plus/minus 262 confidence interval means the total population could range between 884 to 1,408. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Extract every efficacy endpoint, its p-value, confidence interval, and sample size. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025 On the technical side, managers should know how to read a model card, notice spurious correlations, and ask for confidence intervals. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for confidence interval

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of confidence interval was in 1934

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Cite this Entry

“Confidence interval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidence%20interval. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

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