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
Temperatures have about a 30% chance of falling below freezing overnight Friday along Interstate 70, with probabilities increasing towards 80% near the Iowa border, the weather service said.
—
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
While the identification has triggered international planetary defense measures, experts say that further observations of the asteroid might drop the impact probability down to zero.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
It was initially thought to have a 2.7% chance of hitting Earth in 2029, but that probability was later downgraded.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 2 Feb. 2025
Entering Friday’s games, the Rangers were five points back of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with The Athletic’s playoff probabilities model giving them about a 36 percent chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 1 Feb. 2025
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Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
While the identification has triggered international planetary defense measures, experts say that further observations of the asteroid might drop the impact probability down to zero.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
It was initially thought to have a 2.7% chance of hitting Earth in 2029, but that probability was later downgraded.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 2 Feb. 2025
Entering Friday’s games, the Rangers were five points back of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with The Athletic’s playoff probabilities model giving them about a 36 percent chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for probability
Dictionary Entries Near probability
Cite this Entry
“Probability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probability. Accessed 10 Feb. 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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