Statistic: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：a numerical fact (statistic)

statistic 🔊

/stəˈtɪstɪk/

a fact or number that comes from studying a lot of numerical information, often summarizing a bigger picture.

Statistic illustrated by a modern bar chart on a computer screen, showing data trends for analysis.

a numerical fact 🔊

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/ə ˈnjuːmərɪkəl fækt/

A statistic is a specific piece of numerical information obtained from analyzing extensive data, often serving to summarize or represent larger trends or patterns.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'statisticus', related to 'state', meaning pertaining to state affairs or data collection.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'STATE-istic': data about the state or situation.

📖 Example

The most surprising statistic from the health survey was that over 70% of teenagers spend less than an hour outdoors each day. 🔊 The health survey revealed that more than 70% of teenagers have less than an hour of outdoor activity daily, which was the most unexpected data point.

🔗 Collocations

official statistic – a statistic published by an authoritative source

statistic shows – the statistic indicates or demonstrates

statistic analysis – the process of examining statistics

🔄 Synonyms

figure (n.) – a number representing a specific fact or amount

datum (n.) – a single item of factual information derived from measurement or research

metric (n.) – a standard of measurement used to assess or compare

🚫 Antonyms

anecdote (n.) – a short personal story or account, not based on systematic data

🌱 Derivatives

statistical (adj.) – relating to or based on statistics

statistician (n.) – an expert in statistics

statistics (n.) – the science of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'statistic' originates from German 'Statistik', derived from Latin 'statisticus'. Initially used in political science for state data, it now plays a vital role in economics, science, and policy-making by summarizing large datasets.