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¹average

noun av·er·age \ˈa-v(ə-)rij\

: a number that is calculated by adding quantities together and then dividing the total by the number of quantities

: a level that is typical of a group, class, or series : a middle point between extremes

Full Definition of AVERAGE

a : a single value (as a mean, mode, or median) that summarizes or represents the general significance of a set of unequal values

b : mean 1b

a : an estimation of or approximation to an arithmetic mean

b : a level (as of intelligence) typical of a group, class, or series <above the average>

: a ratio expressing the average performance especially of an athletic team or an athlete computed according to the number of opportunities for successful performance

— on average or on the average

: taking the typical example of the group under consideration <prices have increased on average by five percent>

See average defined for English-language learners

See average defined for kids

Origin of AVERAGE

from earlier average proportionally distributed charge for damage at sea, modification of Middle French avarie damage to ship or cargo, from Old Italian avaria, from Arabic ʽawārīya damaged merchandise

First Known Use: 1732

Related to AVERAGE

Synonyms: norm, normal, par, standard

Synonym Discussion of AVERAGE

average, mean, median, norm mean something that represents a middle point. average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures <scored an average of 85 on tests>. mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes <a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°>. median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below <average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars>. norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade <scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic>.

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

²average

adjective

: calculated by adding quantities together and then dividing by the number of quantities

: ordinary or usual

: not unusually large or small

Full Definition of AVERAGE

: equaling an arithmetic mean

a : being about midway between extremes <a man of average height>

b : not out of the ordinary : common <the average person>

— av·er·age·ly adverb

— av·er·age·ness noun

See average defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of AVERAGE

1770

Related to AVERAGE

Synonyms: middle, intermediate, mean, median, medium, middling, midsize (also midsized), moderate, modest

Antonyms: abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, odd, out-of-the-way, strange, unusual

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

³average

verb

: to have (a specified number) as an average

: to calculate the average of (something)

av·er·agedav·er·ag·ing

Full Definition of AVERAGE

intransitive verb

a : to be or come to an average <the gain averaged out to 20 percent>

b : to have a medial value of <a color averaging a pale purple>

: to buy on a falling market or sell on a rising market additional shares or commodities so as to obtain a more favorable average price —usually used with down or up

transitive verb

: to do, get, or have on the average or as an average sum or quantity <averages 12 hours of work a day>

: to find the arithmetic mean of (a series of unequal quantities)

a : to bring toward the average

b : to divide among a number proportionately

See average defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of AVERAGE

1769

AVERAGENESS Defined for Kids

¹average

noun av·er·age \ˈa-və-rij, ˈav-rij\

Definition of AVERAGE for Kids

: a number that is calculated by adding quantities together and dividing the total by the number of quantities : arithmetic mean <An average of 20 students are in each class.>

: something usual in a group, class, or series <His grades have been better than average.>