Probability dictionary definition | probability defined

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probability

[präb′ə bil′ə tē]

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noun

Probability is defined as the likelihood of something occurring or the chance of something happening.
1. When there is a 50 percent chance of something, this is an example of a time when the event has a probability of 50 percent.
2. When there are gray clouds in the sky, this is an example of a time when there is a high probability of rain.

probability

noun

pl. probabilities

the quality or state of being probable; likelihood
something probable
Math. the ratio of the number of times something will probably occur to the total number of possible occurrences

Origin of probability

Middle French probabilité ; from Classical Latin probabilitas

probability Idioms

in all probability

very likely

probability

noun

pl. prob·a·bil·i·ties

The quality or condition of being probable; likelihood.
A probable situation, condition, or event: Her election is a clear probability.
a. The likelihood that a given event will occur: little probability of rain tonight.
b. Statistics A number, ranging from zero to one, expressing either the projected likelihood that a specific event will occur or the observed ratio of the number of actual occurrences to the number of possible occurrences.

probability

Noun

(plural probabilities)

the state of being probable; likelihood
an event that is likely to occur
the relative likelihood of an event happening
(mathematics) a number, between 0 and 1, expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening

Related terms

probable

Origin

From Latin probabilitas (“probability, credibility”), from probabilis (“probable, credible”); see probable.

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Sentence Examples

He didn't want to think about the probability behind such a powerful Oracle appearing when she did.
Probability is an entirely different issue.
Nothing was stated as to the probability of an increase in the stature of the French Congo animal as it grows older; but even if we allow another foot, its height would be considerably less than half that of a large Central African bull of the ordinary elephant.
If chemical compounds can be proved by experiment to obey these laws, then the atomic theory acquires a high degree of probability; if they are contradicted by experiment then the atomic theory must be abandoned, or very much modified.
Such experiments - and numerous ones of about this degree of accuracy have been made on a variety of substances - give a high degree of probability to the law, but leave it an open question whether it has the exactitude of the law of the conservation of matter, or whether it is only approximately true.

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