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
There are two approaches to achieve this: comprehend the historical probabilities and position yourself before the earnings announcement, or analyze the correlation between immediate and medium-term returns following earnings and position yourself accordingly after the earnings are disclosed.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
The timing of the OpenAI results surprised some prediction markets, which had assigned around an 18 percent probability to any AI system winning IMO gold by 2025.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025
This classification is used when exposure to a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, or when the probability of serious adverse health effects is remote.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for probability
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
The timing of the OpenAI results surprised some prediction markets, which had assigned around an 18 percent probability to any AI system winning IMO gold by 2025.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025
This classification is used when exposure to a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, or when the probability of serious adverse health effects is remote.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 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 29 Jul. 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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