regression toward the mean

A form of regression to the mean — The phenomenon by which extreme examples from any set of data are likely to be followed by examples which are less extreme; a tendency towards the average of any sample. For example, the offspring of two very tall individuals tend to be tall, but closer to the average (mean) than either of their parents.

Similar
regressionsimple regressionstatistical regression
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounregression toward the mean (plural regressions toward the mean)

plural regressions toward the mean

  1. alternativeAlternative form of regression to the mean.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe relation between selected values of x and observed values of y (from which the most probable value of y can be predicted for any value of x)

Similar
regressionsimple regressionstatistical regression
Broader
statistical methodstatistical procedure
Also see
regression

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

regression toward the mean. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/regression%20toward%20the%20mean

MLA

“regression toward the mean.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/regression%20toward%20the%20mean. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “regression toward the mean,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/regression%20toward%20the%20mean.

Source: regression toward the mean on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.