weighting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “weighting” mean?
A factor or coefficient assigned to something to give it greater or lesser importance in a calculation, evaluation, or system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A factor or coefficient assigned to something to give it greater or lesser importance in a calculation, evaluation, or system.
The process or result of adjusting the relative importance of different components; can also refer to an additional allowance or adjustment made for particular circumstances (e.g., cost-of-living weighting).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. In British English, 'weighting' is commonly used in the context of salary supplements (e.g., 'London weighting'). This specific use is less frequent in American English, where 'cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)' or 'differential' is more typical.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term connotes precision, adjustment, and calculated importance. The British salary-related use adds a socio-economic connotation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to its established use in HR and salary contexts. In academic/technical fields (statistics, research), frequency is equally high in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “weighting” in a Sentence
give/assign/apply a weighting to [something]the weighting of [factor/element]a weighting for [purpose/circumstance]with a weighting towards [something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weighting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to weight the responses to account for demographic imbalances.
- The algorithm weights recent data more heavily.
American English
- The index is weighted by market capitalization.
- You should weight the criteria based on their importance.
adverb
British English
- The data was not weighted properly.
- The sample was disproportionately weighted towards urban areas.
American English
- The survey results are heavily weighted in favor of younger voters.
- The test is weighted too much towards memorization.
adjective
British English
- The weighting factor is crucial for the model's accuracy.
- She received a weighting allowance in her pay.
American English
- The weighting coefficient was adjusted in the simulation.
- A weighting adjustment was applied to the test scores.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to adjustments in financial models, risk assessments, or employee compensation (e.g., 'The portfolio has a heavy weighting towards technology stocks.').
Academic
Crucial in statistics, research methodology, and data analysis to account for sample bias or importance (e.g., 'The researcher applied a post-stratification weighting to the survey data.').
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used when discussing grades, opinion polls, or fair representation (e.g., 'The final grade has a 50% weighting for the exam.').
Technical
Precise use in engineering (signal processing), machine learning (algorithm training), and economics (index calculation).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “weighting”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “weighting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weighting”
- Using 'weighting' as a verb (the verb is 'to weight').
- Confusing 'weighting' with 'waiting'.
- Using it in overly simplistic contexts where 'importance' or 'priority' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Weight' is a noun for mass or importance, or a verb meaning to add weight/importance. 'Weighting' is a noun for the *factor* or *coefficient* itself, or the *process* of applying such factors.
No, that would be incorrect. The correct verb is 'to weigh' (as in 'I am weighing the options'). 'To weight' means to apply a statistical or evaluative coefficient.
It is an average where some data points contribute more than others, based on a pre-assigned 'weighting' or importance factor.
It is common in technical, academic, and business contexts, but relatively rare in everyday casual conversation.
A factor or coefficient assigned to something to give it greater or lesser importance in a calculation, evaluation, or system.
Weighting is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Weighting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈweɪtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈweɪt̬ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Throw one's weight around (conceptually related but not directly using 'weighting')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SCALE. 'Weighting' is like placing different sized WEIGHTS on the scale's pans to make some items count MORE or LESS towards the final balance.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS WEIGHT / BALANCE IS FAIR REPRESENTATION
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'weighting' most likely to be used in British English but not typically in American English?