random variable

noun

Definition of random variable

: a variable that is itself a function of the result of a statistical experiment in which each outcome has a definite probability of occurrence

— called also variate

Examples of random variable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are too many random variables at play -- including the crazy crowd noise -- to make this a consistently formful race. — Katia Porzecanski, Bloomberg.com, "Is Justify Worthy of Hype? Kentucky Derby Q&A With Papadopoulos," 4 May 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about random variable

Dictionary Entries near random variable

randomized block

random variable

Statistics for random variable

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for random variable

The first known use of random variable was in 1914

See more words from the same year

Comments on random variable

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

WORD OF THE DAY

nary

not any or not one

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

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

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games