# statistic

/stəˈtɪstɪk/ (US) · /stɐtˈɪstɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/statistic
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a single data point

noun · CEFR B1

a number that represents a fact or piece of information from a study.

For teachers: a single datum or numerical fact derived from a collection of data.

- A shocking statistic shows that one in three people forget to recycle.
- The most striking statistic in the report was the sharp decline in youth unemployment over the last fiscal quarter.

### 2. mathematical value

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical · Academic

a number calculated from a group of data, like an average.

For teachers: a quantity calculated from a sample of data, such as a mean or standard deviation, used to estimate a population parameter.

- The mean is a common statistic used to describe the middle of a data set.
- Researchers must ensure the chosen test statistic is appropriate for the distribution of the underlying data.

### 3. a person as data

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is treated only as a number in a report rather than a human being.

For teachers: a person or event reduced to a mere numerical entry in a data set, often used to imply a lack of empathy.

- He didn't want to become just another statistic in the unemployment office.
- The documentary aims to humanize the victims, ensuring they are remembered as individuals rather than mere statistics in a police report.

### 4. to analyze data

verb · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

to use numbers and data to describe or study something.

For teachers: to analyze, describe, or represent something using statistical methods.

- The researchers tried to statistic the results to find a pattern.
- While the team attempted to statistic the social trends, the qualitative nuances of the interviews proved difficult to quantify.

## Examples

- The latest statistic shows that more people are working from home.
- The government released a new statistic indicating that unemployment has dropped to its lowest level in a decade.
- While a single statistic can highlight a specific trend, researchers must examine the entire dataset to ensure the findings are not skewed by outliers.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.