mean deviation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “mean deviation” mean?
A statistical measure of dispersion that calculates the average absolute difference between each data point and the mean of the dataset.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A statistical measure of dispersion that calculates the average absolute difference between each data point and the mean of the dataset.
In broader usage, it can refer to any systematic departure from an average or expected value, though this is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
Technical/neutral in both variants.
Frequency
Equally rare in both variants, confined to academic and professional statistical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mean deviation” in a Sentence
mean deviation of [NOUN PHRASE]mean deviation from [NOUN PHRASE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mean deviation” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mean deviation calculation was straightforward.
- We analysed the mean deviation results.
American English
- The mean deviation calculation was straightforward.
- We analyzed the mean deviation results.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in advanced financial risk modelling or quality control reports.
Academic
Primary context; used in statistics, mathematics, physics, and social science research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in data science, engineering, and scientific research to describe data spread.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mean deviation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mean deviation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mean deviation”
- Confusing it with 'standard deviation', which squares the differences.
- Using it without clarifying 'absolute' (i.e., ignoring +/- signs), which is implied but often needs stating.
- Applying it in non-technical contexts where simpler terms like 'average difference' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Standard deviation squares the differences from the mean, giving more weight to outliers. Mean deviation uses absolute values, making it more intuitive but less common in advanced statistics.
Standard deviation has preferable mathematical properties for many statistical models (e.g., it is differentiable), and it is the foundation of variance, a key concept. Mean absolute deviation is harder to work with algebraically.
Primarily in introductory statistics, some engineering applications, economics (e.g., measuring income inequality), and older scientific literature. Modern texts often use 'mean absolute deviation (MAD)'.
No, in contemporary English this would be a misunderstanding. The term is strictly technical. For behavioural contexts, phrases like 'departure from the norm' or 'deviance' would be used.
A statistical measure of dispersion that calculates the average absolute difference between each data point and the mean of the dataset.
Mean deviation is usually technical/academic in register.
Mean deviation: in British English it is pronounced /miːn ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /min ˌdiviˈeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as the average distance each member of a group (data point) stands from the group's middle point (the mean).
Conceptual Metaphor
DISPERSION IS DISTANCE FROM CENTRE
Practice
Quiz
What is the key mathematical operation involved in calculating the mean deviation?