Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

dependent variable

noun

Definition of dependent variable 

: a mathematical variable whose value is determined by that of one or more other variables in a function

Examples of dependent variable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 That absolute value became their dependent variable, the thing that changed over time. — Adam Rogers, WIRED, "Maybe Election Polls Aren't Broken After All," 12 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dependent variable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of dependent variable

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dependent variable

Share dependent variable

Statistics for dependent variable

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for dependent variable

The first known use of dependent variable was circa 1852

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on dependent variable

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dependent variable

Comments on dependent variable

What made you want to look up dependent variable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

chapel

a private place of worship

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games