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
Indeed, our meta-analysis shows that, while mandatory restrictions did contribute to saving lives, their impact was minor in comparison to the profound effect of spontaneous, voluntary behavioral changes.
—
Lars Jonung, National Review, 21 Sep. 2023
In five studies selected for meta-analysis, the researchers found that people who took probiotics along with antibiotics boosted gut microbiome diversity by a minuscule amount—just 0.23%.
—Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 16 Sep. 2023
Joshi’s meta-analysis focused on cover crops grown in cornfields around the world and found that, on average, cover crops increased carbon stored in the soil by about 7 percent.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023
The meta-analysis, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, pulled data from seventeen long-term studies with over 226,000 participants across the world.
—Good Housekeeping, 3 Sep. 2023
Look at the meta-analyses, which try to make sense of the body of evidence, and find one where a particular kind of diet outperforms others long-term by more than a few pounds.
—Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023
Despite their popularity, blue-light blocking glasses probably don’t do much to reduce eye strain, help keep people alert or improve sleep, according to a meta-analysis looking at 17 studies published Thursday.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2023
According to one meta-analysis, the chances of a favorable stroke outcome decline by 16% for every hour that passes without treatment.
—Bree Iskandar, STAT, 15 Aug. 2023
The new meta-analysis from the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests drinking any amount of alcohol on a daily basis can lead to high blood pressure.
—Michelle Pugle, Health, 14 Aug. 2023
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Lars Jonung, National Review, 21 Sep. 2023
In five studies selected for meta-analysis, the researchers found that people who took probiotics along with antibiotics boosted gut microbiome diversity by a minuscule amount—just 0.23%.
—Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 16 Sep. 2023
Joshi’s meta-analysis focused on cover crops grown in cornfields around the world and found that, on average, cover crops increased carbon stored in the soil by about 7 percent.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023
The meta-analysis, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, pulled data from seventeen long-term studies with over 226,000 participants across the world.
—Good Housekeeping, 3 Sep. 2023
Look at the meta-analyses, which try to make sense of the body of evidence, and find one where a particular kind of diet outperforms others long-term by more than a few pounds.
—Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023
Despite their popularity, blue-light blocking glasses probably don’t do much to reduce eye strain, help keep people alert or improve sleep, according to a meta-analysis looking at 17 studies published Thursday.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2023
According to one meta-analysis, the chances of a favorable stroke outcome decline by 16% for every hour that passes without treatment.
—Bree Iskandar, STAT, 15 Aug. 2023
The new meta-analysis from the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests drinking any amount of alcohol on a daily basis can lead to high blood pressure.
—Michelle Pugle, Health, 14 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meta-analysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1976, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Meta-analysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meta-analysis. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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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
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