/ 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.
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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.