regression

noun

re·​gres·​sion ri-ˈgre-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of regressing

2

: a trend or shift toward a lower or less perfect state: such as

a

: progressive decline of a manifestation of disease

b(1)

: gradual loss of differentiation and function by a body part especially as a physiological change accompanying aging

(2)

: gradual loss of memories and acquired skills

c

: reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level

d

: a functional relationship between two or more correlated variables that is often empirically determined from data and is used especially to predict values of one variable when given values of the others

the regression of y on x is linear

specifically : a function that yields the mean value of a random variable under the condition that one or more independent variables have specified values

3

: retrograde motion

Synonyms

• retrogression
• reversion

Example Sentences

the regression to really childish behavior that boys often undergo when put in large groups

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bulldogs started this season ranked third under the assumption there would be a little regression. —Ralph D. Russo, ajc, 10 Jan. 2023

So yes, Musk’s Twitter working model is a regression. —Time, 17 Dec. 2022

The Eagles are 8-0 after beating the Texans on Thursday night, but is a regression coming soon? —Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2022

That there’s been a swift, significant regression with the same personnel and scheme. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2022

Over the decades, investigators used techniques to try and identify her, such as neighborhood canvassing, reviewing thousands of missing persons cases, age-regression drawings and clay-model reconstructions, Bonavolonta said. —Antonio Planas, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2022

Why 2022 production could worse: Injury, regression, discontinuity. —Dallas News, 14 Feb. 2022

But a significant defensive regression and some offensive struggles have left the Seahawks losers in three of their past four games. —Mark Heim | [e-mail], al, 15 Dec. 2022

Louisiana-Lafayette’s regression from last year’s campaign was largely expected after the departures of their head coach and record-setting quarterback. —Jace Evans, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing regression

• multiple regression
• linear regression

• multiple regression
• linear regression

Kids Definition

regression

noun

re·​gres·​sion ri-ˈgresh-ən 

: an act or the fact of regressing

Medical Definition

regression

noun

re·​gres·​sion ri-ˈgresh-ən 

: a trend or shift toward a lower, less severe, or less perfect state: as

a

: progressive decline (as in size or severity) of a manifestation of disease

tumor regression following radiation

b(1)

: a gradual loss of differentiation and function by a body part especially as a physiological change accompanying aging

menopausal regression of the ovaries

(2)

: gradual loss (as in old age) of memories and acquired skills

c

: reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level or to an earlier stage of psychosexual development in response to organismic stress or to suggestion

a protective regression towards childhood

—Havelock Ellis