regression
noun
re·gres·sion
ri-ˈgre-shən 
1
: the act or an instance of regressing
2
: a trend or shift toward a lower or less perfect state: such as
a
: progressive decline of a manifestation of disease
b(1)
: gradual loss of differentiation and function by a body part especially as a physiological change accompanying aging
(2)
: gradual loss of memories and acquired skills
c
: reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level
d
: a functional relationship between two or more correlated variables that is often empirically determined from data and is used especially to predict values of one variable when given values of the others
the regression of y on x is linear
specifically
: a function that yields the mean value of a random variable under the condition that one or more independent variables have specified values
3
: retrograde motion
Examples of regression in a Sentence
the regression to really childish behavior that boys often undergo when put in large groups
Recent Examples on the Web
If nothing else, this third installment demonstrates how progress and regression are cyclical.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
However, quantifying the neural network in a regression that includes Nvidia stock price is a messy business.
—Korok Ray, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The regression comes at a critical time for everybody.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
But Thibodeau believes in regression to the mean, and historically, Wright has been a respectable shooter, owning a career 34.9% clip from deep.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regression
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Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
However, quantifying the neural network in a regression that includes Nvidia stock price is a messy business.
—Korok Ray, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The regression comes at a critical time for everybody.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
But Thibodeau believes in regression to the mean, and historically, Wright has been a respectable shooter, owning a career 34.9% clip from deep.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regression
Cite this Entry
“Regression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regression. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
regression
noun
re·gres·sion
ri-ˈgresh-ən
: an act or the fact of regressing
Medical Definition
regression
noun
re·gres·sion
ri-ˈgresh-ən
: a trend or shift toward a lower, less severe, or less perfect state: as
a
: progressive decline (as in size or severity) of a manifestation of disease
tumor regression following radiation
b(1)
: a gradual loss of differentiation and function by a body part especially as a physiological change accompanying aging
menopausal regression of the ovaries
(2)
: gradual loss (as in old age) of memories and acquired skills
c
: reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level or to an earlier stage of psychosexual development in response to organismic stress or to suggestion
a protective regression towards childhood—Havelock Ellis
Havelock EllisLove words? Need even more definitions?
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