Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of probability - 5 dictionary results

prob⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty

  [prob-uh-bil-i-tee]
Use probability in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the quality or fact of being probable.
2. a strong likelihood or chance of something: The probability of the book's success makes us optimistic.
3. a probable event, circumstance, etc.: Our going to China is a probability.
4. Statistics.
a. the relative possibility that an event will occur, as expressed by the ratio of the number of actual occurrences to the total number of possible occurrences.
b. the relative frequency with which an event occurs or is likely to occur.
—Idiom
5. in all probability, very probably; quite likely: The factory will in all probability be relocated.
Origin:
1545–55; < L probābilitās. See probable, -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To probability
prob·a·bil·i·ty   (prŏb'ə-bĭl'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. prob·a·bil·i·ties

  1. The quality or condition of being probable; likelihood.

  2. A probable situation, condition, or event: Her election is a clear probability.

    1. The likelihood that a given event will occur: little probability of rain tonight.

    2. Statistics A number expressing the likelihood that a specific event will occur, expressed as the ratio of the number of actual occurrences to the number of possible occurrences.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
probability   (prŏb'ə-bĭl'ĭ-tē)  Pronunciation Key 
A number expressing the likelihood of the occurrence of a given event, especially a fraction expressing how many times the event will happen in a given number of tests or experiments. For example, when rolling a six-sided die, the probability of rolling a particular side is 1 in 6, or 1/6 .
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

probability

see in all probability.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

probability

the branches of mathematics concerned with the laws governing random events, including the collection, analysis, interpretation, and display of numerical data. Probability has its origin in the study of gambling and insurance in the 17th century, and it is now an indispensable tool of both social and natural sciences. Statistics may be said to have its origin in census counts taken thousands of years ago; as a distinct scientific discipline, however, it was developed in the early 19th century as the study of populations, economies, and moral actions and later in that century as the mathematical tool for analyzing such numbers. For technical information on these subjects, see probability theory and statistics.

Learn more about probability with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see probability on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way