statistics

UK: /stəˈtɪstɪks/ US: /stəˈtɪstɪks/ ,(stə tis′tiks)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sta•tis•tics /stəˈtɪstɪks/   n. 

1. Statistics the science that deals with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of information or data in the form of numbers:
   [uncountable* used with a singular verb] Statistics explains why every time you throw a coin in the air, the odds are always 50-50 that it will end up heads.
2. Statistics the information or data themselves:
   [plural* used with a plural verb] Statistics prove that you are safer in an airplane than in a car.

See -stat-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sta•tis•tics  (stə tis′tiks), n. 

1. Statistics (used with a sing. v.) the science that deals with the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical facts or data, and that, by use of mathematical theories of probability, imposes order and regularity on aggregates of more or less disparate elements.
2. Statistics (used with a pl. v.) the numerical facts or data themselves.

• see statistic, -ics 1780–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

statistics / stəˈtɪstɪks/ noun

1. (functioning as plural) quantitative data on any subject, esp data comparing the distribution of some quantity for different subclasses of the population
2. (functioning as singular) the classification and interpretation of such data in accordance with probability theory and the application of methods such as hypothesis testing to them

Etymology: 18th Century (originally 'science dealing with facts of a state'): via German Statistik, from New Latin statisticus concerning state affairs, from Latin status state