weighted mean: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “weighted mean” mean?
An average in which each data point contributes differently to the final result, based on its assigned weight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An average in which each data point contributes differently to the final result, based on its assigned weight.
A statistical measure that accounts for varying degrees of importance or frequency among the data being averaged; the arithmetic mean after applying weights to values.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; concept is identical. May be called 'weighted average' slightly more frequently in general contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in technical/academic writing in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “weighted mean” in a Sentence
weighted mean of [noun phrase]weighted mean for [noun phrase]weighted mean calculated using [method]weighted mean based on [criteria]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weighted mean” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The lecturer explained how the weighted mean gives a fairer representation of the module's final mark.
- We need to work out the weighted mean of these survey responses.
American English
- The weighted mean is a crucial concept in your stats course.
- Their analysis relied heavily on a weighted mean of the price indices.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in financial analysis, e.g., calculating weighted average cost of capital (WACC) or customer satisfaction scores where some responses are deemed more significant.
Academic
Core concept in statistics, research methodology, and data science for analyzing datasets with unequal representation.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might appear in discussions about school grades where exams count more than homework.
Technical
Fundamental in engineering, physics, and quantitative social sciences for processing measurements with different precisions or importances.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “weighted mean”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “weighted mean”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weighted mean”
- Using it interchangeably with 'median' or 'mode'.
- Forgetting to normalize weights so they sum to 1 (or 100%).
- Confusing 'weighted mean' with 'moving average'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A regular (arithmetic) mean treats all data points as equally important. A weighted mean multiplies each data point by a predetermined weight (reflecting its relative importance) before summing and dividing, giving some points more influence on the result.
Typically, yes. For the formula to work cleanly, the sum of the weights is usually normalized to 1 (or 100%). If they don't, the calculation is adjusted by dividing by the sum of the weights.
In most practical contexts, yes, they are synonymous. 'Weighted mean' is slightly more formal and common in pure statistics, while 'weighted average' is frequently used in business and finance.
A weight can be zero, meaning that data point is excluded. Negative weights are theoretically possible in some advanced formulas but are highly atypical and would make the result not a conventional 'average' in the intuitive sense.
An average in which each data point contributes differently to the final result, based on its assigned weight.
Weighted mean is usually technical/academic in register.
Weighted mean: in British English it is pronounced /ˈweɪtɪd miːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈweɪt̬ɪd min/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a seesaw: heavier children (higher weights) pull the balance point (the mean) closer to their side.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BALANCE SCALE where some items are heavier (more important) and tilt the average toward them.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is a weighted mean MOST appropriate?