confidence interval

noun

: a group of continuous or discrete adjacent values that is used to estimate a statistical parameter (such as a mean or variance) and that tends to include the true value of the parameter a predetermined proportion of the time if the process of finding the group of values is repeated a number of times

Examples of confidence interval in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 95% confidence interval means that 95% of the time, those other polls’ responses would be within 3 percentage points of the answers reported in this one poll. —

Doug Schwartz, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024 Even with a wide confidence interval of $690 to 1,799 per ton, the key takeaway is that the social cost is far higher than the cost currently levied on emissions. —

Nils Rokke, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The margin of error for the total sample, conducted this spring, was plus or minus 5 percentage points at the 95% confidence interval. —

Steve Banker, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 Footnotes *Within the 95 percent confidence interval. —

G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 11 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for confidence interval

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confidence interval.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of confidence interval was in 1934

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Confidence interval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidence%20interval. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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