plural variances
1
formal
: an amount of difference or change
There was some variance in the results.
We noticed a slight variance between/in the quality of the samples.
2
law
: an official decision or document that allows someone to do something that is not usually allowed by the rules
He had to get a variance to add a garage on to his house.
Cite this Entry
“Variance.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/variance. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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