English Reference

Word

regression

Phoneticsre·gres·sion, stress on the second syllable

US/ɹəˈɡɹɛʃən/

UK/ɹɪɡɹˈɛʃən/

Definitions

01returning to a previous state

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal

n. the act of returning to a previous or less advanced state.

n. the process of returning to a former or less developed state, often implying a decline in quality or complexity.

“The country saw a regression in democratic values after the new laws were passed.”

“Sociologists noted a significant regression in social mobility within the region following the collapse of the local manufacturing industry.”

Synonyms

reversiondeclinebacksliding

02statistical relationship

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Mathematics Technical · Academic

n. a mathematical way to see how one thing affects another.

n. a statistical method for estimating the relationships among variables, typically to determine how a dependent variable changes when independent variables vary.

“The researcher used a linear regression to predict house prices based on their size.”

“By performing a multiple regression analysis, the economists were able to isolate the impact of interest rates on consumer spending patterns.”

03software bug returning

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical

n. when a computer problem that was fixed before happens again after a new update.

n. the reappearance of a previously resolved functional defect following a code change or software update.

“The latest update caused a regression that broke the login screen.”

“The development team implemented automated regression testing to ensure that new features did not inadvertently compromise existing system stability.”

Synonyms

relapsesoftware bug

04shrinking of a growth

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Medicine Technical · Formal

n. the process of a tumor or a disease getting smaller or less serious.

n. the lessening or disappearance of the symptoms or physical size of a disease, particularly a tumor.

“The doctors were pleased to see a regression of the tumor after the first round of treatment.”

“Spontaneous regression of this particular type of carcinoma is rare, making the patient's recovery a subject of significant clinical interest.”

05psychological return to childhood

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Technical · Academic

n. behaving like a younger person or a child, often because of stress.

n. a defense mechanism leading to the temporary or long-term reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development.

“Under extreme pressure, some people show signs of emotional regression.”

“The therapist identified the patient's sudden outbursts as a form of psychological regression triggered by childhood trauma.”

Synonyms

infantilism

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “regression” in context.

Noun

01. multiple regression

“The researchers used multiple regression to analyze how various factors influenced the outcome.”

adj + noun

02. regression movement

“The therapist noted a regression movement in the patient's behavior after the stressful event.”

noun + noun

Real-World Examples

“Those errors create a situation in which we are measuring a highly uncertain value far upstream, causing a fundamental rule of statistics to come into play: regression to the mean.”
Phys.org 22 Aug 2026
“How much of last season’s regression can be pinned on the former head coach will become apparent in the months ahead.”
The Guardian 18 Aug 2026

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin regressio. Equivalent to regress + -ion. The statistics sense comes from regression to the mean.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

regression(C1)

Domains

MedicineProgrammingStatistics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Frequent
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference