meta-analysis

noun

meta-anal·​y·​sis ˌme-tə-ə-ˈna-lə-səs 

: a quantitative statistical analysis of several separate but similar experiments or studies in order to test the pooled data for statistical significance

Examples of meta-analysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Ibáñez, the researchers believe their evidence is already robust enough to prompt a change in clinical practice, and are working on a new, larger meta-analysis to help further refine guidance on when beta-blockers should and should not be used after a heart attack. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Sep. 2025

One systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2023 found that older adults both with and without dementia experienced worsening cognitive functioning during social isolation. —Casey Gueren, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025

In fact, our aim is to publish this meta-analysis in time for the American Heart Association Congress in November in New Orleans. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

All the studies used in the meta-analysis aimed primarily to investigate the use of herpes zoster vaccine to prevent shingles in the general population, which may limit the ability to generalise this research to people with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. —New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meta-analysis

• haemodialysis
• hemodialysis
• microanalysis
• psychoanalysis
• analysis
• dialysis
• paralysis
• cryptanalysis
• urinalysis
• electrodialysis

Medical Definition

meta-analysis

noun

meta-anal·​y·​sis ˌmet-ə-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs 

: quantitative statistical analysis that is applied to separate but similar experiments of different and usually independent researchers and that involves pooling the data and using the pooled data to test the effectiveness of the results

the report … on low cholesterol presented a comprehensive meta-analysis of 32 randomized studies involving 42,000 individuals

—Scientific American Medicine Bulletin