English
probability
Etymology

From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās, from probābilis ("probable, credible").

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/
  • (America) IPA: /ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪləti/, [ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪləɾi], /ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪlɪti/, [ˌpɹɑbəˈbɪlɪɾi]
Noun

probability

  1. The state of being probable.
    • 1610, William Camden, “Scoti”, in Philémon Holland, transl., Britain, or A Chorographicall Description of the Most Flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press for] Georgii Bishop & Ioannis Norton, →OCLC ↗, page 119 ↗:
      For, a man may with as great probability derive the Scots pedigree from the Gods, as from Scota that ſuppoſed and counterfeit daughter of the Ægyptian King Pharao, wedded (forſooth) unto Gaithelus, the ſonne of Cecrops founder of Athens. But, as this conceit ariſing from the unskilfulneſſe of Antiquitie, is of the better ſort of ingenuous Scots rejected: […]
  2. An event that is likely to occur.
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “An Old Man’s View of Life”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC ↗, page 274 ↗:
      As all experience shows, the probabilities are, that you will waste the rich treasure of your affection on one who has none to give in return, or who is wholly unworthy of the gift.
  3. The relative likelihood of an event happening.
  4. (mathematics) A number, between 0 and 1, expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening.
    The probability of an event A occurring is denoted P(A).
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