sigma

noun

sig·​ma ˈsig-mə How to pronounce sigma (audio)
1
: the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table
2

Examples of sigma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pros and Cons of Being a Sigma If your child identifies as a sigma, what exactly does that mean? Kara Nesvig, Parents, 13 Aug. 2024 The fruit fly where wMel comes from also carries sigma-virus, a type that Wolbachia does nothing to protect against. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 2012 According to the group’s calculations, the Planck data point to a closed universe with a standard deviation of 3.5 sigma (a statistical measurement that means about 99.8% confidence that the result isn’t due to random chance). Rafi Letzter, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2019 Thomson and his team must reach five-sigma certainty to definitively claim a discovery. Quanta Magazine, 14 May 2015 Historically, most industrial companies operate between three and four sigma, making them between 93% and 99.3% defect-free (these figures can vary slightly depending on the statistical model). Oliver Staley, Quartz at Work, 3 Sep. 2019 The gold standard for discovery is a five-sigma result, comparable to tossing 21 heads in a row. Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 18 July 2013 Through regular reports released under the name sigma, the company offers a lens into the changing trends of the insurance world. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 17 Apr. 2019 Typically, only five sigma is needed to call something a discovery. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 28 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

Greek

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sigma was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near sigma

Cite this Entry

“Sigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sigma. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sigma

noun
sig·​ma ˈsig-mə How to pronounce sigma (audio)
: the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet
Σ or σ or ς
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!