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

Two separate systematic reviews and meta-analyses highlight these benefits. —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025

However, a 2022 meta-analysis of 17 studies found no significant impact on death rates when health care workers go on strike. —Patrick Aguilar, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025

In line, a large meta-analysis shows little empirical or conceptual difference between EQ and impression management. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Some meta-analyses have shown mild improvement, while others have found no impact at all. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 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