probability
noun
prob·a·bil·i·ty
ˌprä-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural probabilities
1
a(1)
: the chance that a given event will occur
(2)
: the ratio of the number of outcomes in an exhaustive set of equally likely outcomes that produce a given event to the total number of possible outcomes
b
: a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of probabilities
2
: something (such as an event or circumstance) that is probable
3
: the quality or state of being probable
4
: a logical relation between statements such that evidence confirming one confirms the other to some degree
Examples of probability in a Sentence
There is a low probability that you will be chosen.
There is some probability of rain tomorrow.
With the dark clouds moving in, rain seems more like a probability than a possibility.
The probability of a coin coming up heads is one out of every two tries.
Recent Examples on the Web
The European Space Agency shared a similar risk assessment of its own Tuesday, finding that the probability was .001%.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
At the end of January, when the 10-year yield was about 0.31 percentage point clear of the 3-month, the probability was just 23%.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
The agency estimates a 1.7 percent probability of 2024 YR4 striking the moon on December 22, 2032.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Logic and probability say Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Houston are going to battle it out for the last two No. 1 seeds.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for probability
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Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
At the end of January, when the 10-year yield was about 0.31 percentage point clear of the 3-month, the probability was just 23%.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
The agency estimates a 1.7 percent probability of 2024 YR4 striking the moon on December 22, 2032.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Logic and probability say Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Houston are going to battle it out for the last two No. 1 seeds.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for probability
Cite this Entry
“Probability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probability. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
probability
noun
prob·a·bil·i·ty
ˌpräb-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural probabilities
1
: the quality or state of being probable
2
: something probable
3
a
: a measure of how often a particular event will happen if something which results in any of a number of possible events is done repeatedly
the probability of a coin coming up heads is ½
b
: a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of probabilities
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