statistic

noun

sta·​tis·​tic stə-ˈti-stik How to pronounce statistic (audio)
1
: a single term or datum in a collection of statistics
2
a
: a quantity (such as the mean of a sample) that is computed from a sample
specifically : estimate sense 1b
b
: a random variable that takes on the possible values of a statistic

Example Sentences

One statistic that stuck out is that 40 percent of those surveyed did not have college degrees.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s no more startling statistic than rebounding — Colorado whipped the Beavers 46-26 on the glass. oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2023 Another troubling statistic is that the reunification rate fell - from 37 children to 33. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Nov. 2022 Another telling statistic from the Times analysis was that Democratic members of Congress outspent their Republican colleagues on security by $9,000 on average. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2022 For New Yorkers like Aber, the fear of ending up another crime statistic has cast a shadow over their city. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 30 Apr. 2022 This statistic comes from the Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade group, which says the U.S. share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity has eroded from 37 percent in 1990 to 12 percent today. Glenn Kessler, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Feb. 2023 Through the founding of her various campaigns, most significantly One Billion Rising, which strives to end violence against all women globally, V works to change the staggering statistic that one in three women will be raped or abused in their life. Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023 This statistic includes an incident in Uvalde, Texas, where an 18-year-old shot and killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School. Kayti Burt, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2023 The statistic signifies a 13% increase in total viewers from the fourth quarter average. Charna Flam, Variety, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

singular of statistics

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of statistic was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near statistic

Cite this Entry

“Statistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statistic. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

statistic

noun
sta·​tis·​tic stə-ˈtis-tik How to pronounce statistic (audio)
: a single item of information in a statistical collection

More from Merriam-Webster on statistic

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