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

As some conservatives castigated the measure on social media last week, Hinrichsen replied to one X post with a link to an international meta-analysis published by researchers from four countries. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026

Another meta-analysis showed that people who used topical minoxidil for several months grew significantly more new hairs than people who didn’t. —Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

From these large cohorts, the researchers settled on 131,821 participants to include in a meta-analysis. —New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026

For the latter, a 2023 meta-analysis found that even a slight bump in the average monthly temperature can lead to increases in suicide and suicidal behavior. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026

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