PROBABILITY


Meaning of PROBABILITY in English

/ ˌprɒbəˈbɪləti; NAmE ˌprɑːb-/ noun ( pl. -ies )

1.

[ U , C ] how likely sth is to happen

SYN likelihood :

The probability is that prices will rise rapidly.

There seemed to be a high probability of success.

2.

[ C ] a thing that is likely to happen :

A fall in interest rates is a strong probability in the present economic climate.

It now seems a probability rather than just a possibility.

3.

[ C , U ] ( mathematics ) a ratio showing the chances that a particular thing will happen :

There is a 60% probability that the population will be infected with the disease.

IDIOMS

- in all probability ...

—more at balance noun

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WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English : from Latin probabilitas , from probabilis provable, credible, from probare to test, demonstrate.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.