«Each year we budget so much for food cost and build in variables, but we always stick with quality,» adds Donnelly. ❋ Marc Compeau (2010)
Infact, after controlling for regional heterogeneity, any one of these three variables is sufficient to subsume the impact of regime type on wars, militarized interstate disputes (MIDs), and fatal disputes. ❋ Unknown (2009)
But knowing that your appalling home performances may rest on the fact you’ve neglected to fiddle with one of these thousands of variables is frustrating. ❋ Jack Arnott (2010)
How does that fit into the graph? there would have to be 2 instantaneous cases for teeth … maybe a flipping of dependent variables is in order? ❋ Unknown (2010)
I must confess that I find interaction terms where one of the variables is not a dummy variable fairly bewildering (which is driving which? what about the induced colinearity?). ❋ Unknown (2009)
Regression using instrument variables is essentially a two-stage regression: first, you regress the price of beer against the log of the instrument variable (use the beer tax, I’m almost positive it’s a going to be a better instrument than general sales tax or beer tax + sales tax); second, you regress the log of the quantity of beer consumed against the log of the estimated price of beer obtained from the first regression. ❋ Unknown (2010)
Real-time and historical data on temperature, pressure, wind speed, and many other variables is immediately available for mathematical analysis and visualization. ❋ Unknown (2009)
Each of these three variables is correlated with each other. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Calculating poker hand odds will depend on certain variables in a game. ❋ Unknown (2008)
I feel they could have added in variables for this, maybe 1-10% of a single vote added depending on age. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Thus the theory of hidden variables is overturned (at least in its local form), which means that quantum randomness is different from throwing a dice. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Most lists were approved ahead of time, because some contain variables to the Southern author/book rule. ❋ ____Maggie (2007)
The device monitors several external variables from a streaming version of the BodyMedia SenseWear […] ❋ Unknown (2006)
This is a critical point because people can always claim that there are certain variables that are unknown. ❋ Unknown (2006)
Then, based on the local language, all the text to be displayed (menus, commands etc) is read into variables from the appropriate file. ❋ Unknown (2005)
Right now, both are «show me» stocks with murky near-term variables related to consumer spending. ❋ Martin T. Sosnoff (2006)
1. 3=[5x] solve for the [variable] x.
2. Don’t use global variables; keeping track of all the subroutines modifying the same [memory] gets very confusing very fast. ❋ N0TR1DDL3 (2014)
Had to take a [HUUUGE] [variable] [just now] ❋ VerdeSauce (2020)
This guy is a real [variable]! You never know whether he’s going to explain [quantum physics] or [jump around] like a monkey! ❋ Variable (2003)
These are examples of [windows variables] (windows 7) :
%ALLUSERSPROFILE% — C:ProgramData
%[APPDATA]% — C:Users%username%[AppData]Roaming.
%USERNAME% — Your user name that you are using.
%CMDCMDLINE% — [C:Windowssystem32cmd.exe]
%COMPUTERNAME% — Computer name
Of course there are a LOT more, but they are too many to list in here. ❋ Not-underscore (2020)
your life is full of constants and variables. [the father] of your child is a constant and the woman he [cheated on] you with is a [variable]. ❋ Bottomboy Tj (2018)
In an experiment, [Lyndsey] has three sunflower plants. They are all given the same amount of sunlight; however, she gives [one drop] of water to one plant, two drops to another, and no water to the third. [Lyndsey’s] independent variable is the amount of water. ❋ MisFit1 (2015)
Jack is conducting a science experiment. He is growing [a rose] plant, a [marigold] plant, and a [sunflower] plant to see which can grow the tallest. He gives all three plants the same amount of sunlight and water. His dependent variable would be how tall each plant grows because it is the result of his experiment. ❋ MisFit1 (2015)
if ([foo] > bar)
[baz] += [qux]
else
baz += quux ❋ Shimaspawn (2004)
A controlled variable is a [part] of the [experiment] that doesn’t [change] ❋ Kitkat Kallister (2017)
[That guy] is the negro variable of our [math class]. ❋ Johnny (2003)
- Top Definitions
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This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ vair-ee-uh-buhl ]
/ ˈvɛər i ə bəl /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
adjective
apt or liable to vary or change; changeable: variable weather;variable moods.
capable of being varied or changed; alterable: a variable time limit for completion of a book.
Biology. deviating from the usual type, as a species or a specific character.
Astronomy. (of a star) changing in brightness.
Meteorology. (of wind) tending to change in direction.
Mathematics. having the nature or characteristics of a variable.
noun
something that may or does vary or change; a variable feature or factor.
Mathematics, Computers.
- a quantity or function that may assume any given value or set of values.
- a symbol that represents this.
Logic. (in the functional calculus) a symbol for an unspecified member of a class of things or statements.Compare bound variable, free variable.
Meteorology.
- a shifting wind, especially as distinguished from a trade wind.
- variables, doldrums (def. 2a).
QUIZ
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Origin of variable
First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Latin variābilis, equivalent to vari(us) “speckled, variegate, diverse” + -ābilis adjective suffix; see various, -able
OTHER WORDS FROM variable
var·i·a·bil·i·ty [vair-ee-uh—bil-i-tee], /ˌvɛər i əˈbɪl ɪ ti/, var·i·a·ble·ness, nounvar·i·a·bly, adverbhy·per·var·i·a·ble, adjectivehy·per·var·i·a·bly, adverb
non·var·i·a·ble, adjectivenon·var·i·a·ble·ness, nounnon·var·i·a·bly, adverbun·var·i·a·ble, adjectiveun·var·i·a·ble·ness, nounun·var·i·a·bly, adverb
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH variable
variable , variant
Words nearby variable
Varginha, vargueno, vari, varia, variability, variable, variable annuity, variable contrast paper, variable cost, variable-density wind tunnel, variable-geometry
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
MORE ABOUT VARIABLE
What is a variable?
In the context of scientific experiments, a variable is any factor that could change or be changed.
So, for instance, if you’re measuring how effective a medication is, variables could include the amount of dosage, how frequently it’s taken, and the characteristics of each test subject, such as their age and weight. In general, variables are called variables because they vary. However, in scientific experiments, some variables are kept the same on purpose—such a variable is called a control variable (or sometimes simply just a control).
There are three different types of variables: dependent variables, independent variables, and control variables. Independent variables are the factors that you change. Dependent variables are things that are affected by the changes that you make—the results of the tests (which depend on the independent variables). Control variables are the factors that you do not change. They are kept the same for every test or measurement in order to make sure that the results can be compared fairly.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to figure out which brand of plant food will help a sunflower grow to the tallest height. The dependent variable is the final height of the sunflower. The independent variable (the factor that you change) is the brand of plant food. There are a number of other factors that could impact the growth of the plant, including things like the amount of sunlight and the amount of water. To allow for a proper comparison of the results, these need to be control variables—they need to be controlled, or kept the same. This way, you can have a greater degree of certainty that the final difference in heights (the dependent variable) is due to which food each sunflower received (the independent variable), not differences in sunlight or water.
Properly setting the variables is crucial to scientifically sound experiments and studies.
Why are variables important?
Science is messy. We like to think of experimentation as a simple process of “change one thing and record what happens,” but in reality, every possible subject of study has dozens of different factors that can impact the results—the variables.
Scientists are trained to be careful when setting all the variables for an experiment. In many experiments, even minor unintended fluctuations in some factor can make the findings inaccurate or misleading. The results of experiments are sometimes later debunked after it has been revealed that variables somehow skewed the results.
Understanding the importance of variables will make you more likely to draw sound conclusions and less likely to fall for claims based on faulty science. For example, when examining suspicious statistics or experiment results, a good place to start is to ask what variables were involved, including whether control variables were used and what they were. Knowing the variables is crucial to critical thinking.
Did you know … ?
The term variable is used in the context of formal scientific experiments, but you use the same concept all the time without thinking about it. The process of trial and error involves trying new methods of doing something until you get the results you want. The new methods are the independent variables and the results of each attempt are the dependent variables.
What are real-life examples of variables?
Dependent, independent, and control variables are crucial elements of any experiment, regardless of what is being studied.
Students experiment with different-material balls (independent variable) and same dropping distance (control variable), to determine height of the bounce (dependent variable). Good work, 6White Science students. @cjhdragons #d26embracethejourney pic.twitter.com/1QBWjD0aQS
— Sarah Edwards, BS, MA (@safetysarah11) October 1, 2019
Quiz yourself!
True or False?
In an experiment, the control variable is the one that you change.
Words related to variable
fickle, fluctuating, volatile, fluid, irregular, mobile, shifting, wavering, yo-yo, capricious, changeful, fitful, flexible, iffy, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, protean, shifty, slippery
How to use variable in a sentence
-
As a result, the number of possible permutations of variables, or ways of arranging colors on the dice, is 239,000 — a very, very big number.
-
During periods of stress, heart rate becomes less variable and the time between beats gets shorter.
-
Across all of the experiments, controlling for lots of variables, the researchers found that the tilted coins distracted people and slowed them down from finding the actual ellipse.
-
In 1912, the Harvard astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt used plate observations from a telescope in Peru to discover that strange variable stars called Cepheids could be used to precisely measure vast distances in space.
-
One of the most terrifying aspects of the pandemic is that the severity of the disease seems so cruelly and arbitrarily variable.
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But turnout tends to be far more variable in a midterm election and modeling become far difficult.
-
Researchers acknowledged that some unknown variable might be responsible.
-
AirBnB allows for connections: host to guest, guest to city, and any other variable you can think of.
-
This uncertainty explains why the forecast, while optimistic, is highly variable.
-
Throughout the process the program throws in random changes in a command or variable— these are mutations.
-
It is small in cloudy swelling from toxins and drugs, and variable in renal tuberculosis and neoplasms.
-
Its disadvantage is that it introduces, with the bread, a variable amount of lactic acid and numerous yeast-cells.
-
Streptococci are arranged side by side, forming chains of variable length (Fig. 114).
-
After anchoring the wind was variable and light from the western quarter but during the night there was a heavy swell.
-
We have done nothing but sail on with very variable weather, for the last thirteen days.
British Dictionary definitions for variable
adjective
liable to or capable of changevariable weather
(of behaviour, opinions, emotions, etc) lacking constancy; fickle
maths having a range of possible values
(of a species, characteristic, etc) liable to deviate from the established type
(of a wind) varying its direction and intensity
(of an electrical component or device) designed so that a characteristic property, such as resistance, can be variedvariable capacitor
noun
something that is subject to variation
maths
- an expression that can be assigned any of a set of values
- a symbol, esp x, y, or z, representing an unspecified member of a class of objects, numbers, etcSee also dependent variable, independent variable
logic a symbol, esp x, y, z, representing any member of a class of entities
computing a named unit of storage that can be changed to any of a set of specified values during execution of a program
a variable wind
(plural) a region where variable winds occur
Derived forms of variable
variability or variableness, nounvariably, adverb
Word Origin for variable
C14: from Latin variābilis changeable, from variāre to diversify
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for variable
A mathematical quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values, such as x in the expression 3x + 2.
A factor or condition that is subject to change, especially one that is allowed to change in a scientific experiment to test a hypothesis. See more at control.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other forms: variables
The adjective variable is used to describe something that is liable to change often, such as the weather, interest rates, or your teacher’s mood.
If you mention the noun variable to people who are math-phobic, you may give them nightmares because they don’t like to think about numbers or values that can change in equations. The adjective form of variable has been around since the late 1300s, applying first to people, and then, in the late 1400s, to weather. The noun form first appeared in Lacroix’s Differential and Integral Calculus in 1816, guaranteeing that math students would be solving for the variable x for generations to come.
Definitions of variable
-
noun
something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation
“the weather is one
variable to be considered” -
noun
a quantity that can assume any of a set of values
-
noun
a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
see moresee less-
types:
-
placeholder
a symbol in a logical or mathematical expression that can be replaced by the name of any member of specified set
-
unknown, unknown quantity
a variable whose values are solutions of an equation
-
type of:
-
symbol
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
-
placeholder
-
noun
a star that varies noticeably in brightness
-
synonyms:
variable star
see moresee less-
examples:
-
North Star
the brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it
-
type of:
-
star
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
-
North Star
-
adjective
marked by diversity or difference
“nature is infinitely
variable”-
synonyms:
varying
-
varied
characterized by variety
-
varied
-
adjective
liable to or capable of change
“rainfall in the tropics is notoriously
variable”“variable winds”
“variable expenses”
-
Synonyms:
-
inconsistent
displaying a lack of consistency
-
inconstant
likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable
-
changeable, uncertain, unsettled
subject to change
-
covariant
changing so that interrelations with another variable quantity or set of quantities remain unchanged
-
multivariate
pertaining to any procedure involving two or more variables
-
protean
taking on different forms
-
shifting
continuously varying
-
variant
exhibiting variation and change
-
versatile
changeable or inconstant
-
inconsistent
-
adjective
(used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied
“a
variable capacitor”“variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights”
-
Synonyms:
-
adaptable
capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use
-
adaptable
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘variable’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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var·i·a·ble
(vâr′ē-ə-bəl, văr′-)
adj.
1.
a. Likely to change or vary; subject to variation; changeable.
b. Inconstant; fickle.
2. Biology Tending to exhibit genetic variation or variation in a physical trait: geographically variable color patterns.
3. Mathematics Having no fixed quantitative value.
n.
1. Something that varies or is prone to variation.
2. Astronomy A variable star.
3. Mathematics
a. A quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values.
b. A symbol representing such a quantity. For example, in the expression a2 + b2 = c2, a,b, and c are variables.
var′i·a·ble·ness n.
var′i·a·bly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
variable
(ˈvɛərɪəbəl)
adj
1. liable to or capable of change: variable weather.
2. (of behaviour, opinions, emotions, etc) lacking constancy; fickle
3. (Mathematics) maths having a range of possible values
4. (Biology) (of a species, characteristic, etc) liable to deviate from the established type
5. (Physical Geography) (of a wind) varying its direction and intensity
6. (Electrical Engineering) (of an electrical component or device) designed so that a characteristic property, such as resistance, can be varied: variable capacitor.
n
7. something that is subject to variation
8. (Mathematics) maths
a. an expression that can be assigned any of a set of values
9. (Logic) logic a symbol, esp x, y, z, representing any member of a class of entities
10. (Computer Science) computing a named unit of storage that can be changed to any of a set of specified values during execution of a program
12. (Physical Geography) a variable wind
13. (Physical Geography) (plural) a region where variable winds occur
[C14: from Latin variābilis changeable, from variāre to diversify]
ˌvariaˈbility, ˈvariableness n
ˈvariably adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
var•i•a•ble
(ˈvɛər i ə bəl)
adj.
1. apt to vary; changeable.
2. capable of being varied.
3. inconstant; fickle.
4. having much variation or diversity.
5. deviating from the usual type, as a species.
6. (of a star) changing in brightness.
7. (of wind) tending to change in direction.
8. having the characteristics of a variable.
n.
9. something that may vary.
10.
a. a quantity or function that may assume any given value or set of values.
b. a symbol that represents this.
11. a symbol in logic for an unspecified member of a class of things or statements.
12. a shifting wind.
[1350–1400; < Late Latin]
var`i•a•bil′i•ty, var′i•a•ble•ness, n.
var′i•a•bly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
var·i·a·ble
(vâr′ē-ə-bəl)
1. A mathematical quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values, such as x in the expression 3x + 2.
2. A factor or condition that is subject to change, especially one that is allowed to change in a scientific experiment to test a hypothesis. See more at control.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
variable
A condition, such as temperature, concentration and pressure, which can be changed in a chemical reaction.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | variable — something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation; «the weather is one variable to be considered»
thing — a separate and self-contained entity |
| 2. |  variable — a quantity that can assume any of a set of values
variable quantity quantity — the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable argument — a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable experimental variable, independent variable — (statistics) a variable whose values are independent of changes in the values of other variables correlate, correlative — either of two or more related or complementary variables degree of freedom — (statistics) an unrestricted variable in a frequency distribution dependent variable — (statistics) a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value depends on the independent variable; «if f(x)=y, y is the dependent variable» predictor variable — a variable that can be used to predict the value of another variable (as in statistical regression) infinitesimal — (mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit chance variable, random variable, stochastic variable, variate, variant — a variable quantity that is random scalar — a variable quantity that cannot be resolved into components tensor — a generalization of the concept of a vector vector — a variable quantity that can be resolved into components |
|
| 3. |  variable — a star that varies noticeably in brightness
variable star star — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior |
|
| 4. |  variable — a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
symbol — an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance placeholder — a symbol in a logical or mathematical expression that can be replaced by the name of any member of specified set unknown quantity, unknown — a variable whose values are solutions of an equation |
|
| Adj. | 1. | variable — liable to or capable of change; «rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable»; «variable winds»; «variable expenses»
inconsistent — displaying a lack of consistency; «inconsistent statements cannot both be true at the same time»; «inconsistent with the roadmap» inconstant — likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable; «inconstant affections»; «an inconstant lover»; «swear not by…the inconstant moon»- Shakespeare invariable — not liable to or capable of change; «an invariable temperature»; «an invariable rule»; «his invariable courtesy» |
| 2. |  variable — marked by diversity or difference; «the varying angles of roof slope»; «nature is infinitely variable»
varying varied — characterized by variety; «immigrants’ varied ethnic and religious traditions»; «his work is interesting and varied» |
|
| 3. | variable — (used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied; «a variable capacitor»; «variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights»
adaptable — capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use; «to succeed one must be adaptable»; «the frame was adaptable to cloth bolts of different widths» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
variable
adjective changeable, unstable, fluctuating, shifting, flexible, wavering, uneven, fickle, temperamental, mercurial, capricious, unsteady, protean, vacillating, fitful, mutable, inconstant, chameleonic Weather conditions are variable and change from day to day.
stable, constant, unchanging, firm, settled, fixed, steady, unalterable
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
variable
adjective
1. Capable of or liable to change:
2. Following no predictable pattern:
capricious, changeable, erratic, fantastic, fantastical, fickle, freakish, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, temperamental, ticklish, uncertain, unpredictable, unstable, unsteady, volatile, whimsical.
3. Lacking consistency or regularity in quality or performance:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
proměnlivýproměnnáfaktorměnitelnýmožná změna
variabel
muutuja
vaihtelevamuuttuja
promjenjiv
változóváltoztatható
breytabreytanlegur, stillanlegurbreytilegur, óstöîugur
変わりやすい可変な変わりうる
변하기 쉬운
meniteľnýmožná výmena
avvikandeparametervariabelvarierande
เปลี่ยนแปลงได้ตลอดเวลา
có thể thay đổi
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
variable
[ˈvɛəriəbəl]
adj
[amount, content, quality, rainfall, weather, rate, speed] → variable
a variable rate of interest
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
variable
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
vary
(ˈveəri) verb
to make, be or become different. These apples vary in size from small to medium.
ˈvariable adjective
1. that may be varied. The machine works at a variable speed.
2. (of eg winds, weather etc) liable or likely to change. British weather is very variable.
noun
something that varies, eg in quantity, value, effect etc. Have you taken all the variables into account in your calculations?
ˈvariably adverbˌvariaˈbility – plural variaˈbilities – nounˌvariˈation noun
1. the extent to which a thing changes. In the desert there are great variations in temperature.
2. one of a series of musical elaborations made on a basic theme or melody. Brahms’ variations on Haydn’s `St Anthony’s Chorale’.
ˈvaried adjective
He has had a very varied career.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
variable
→ مُتَغَيِّر proměnlivý variabel veränderlich ευμετάβλητος variable vaihteleva variable promjenjiv variabile 変わりやすい 변하기 쉬운 variabel variabel zmienny variável переменный varierande เปลี่ยนแปลงได้ตลอดเวลา değişken có thể thay đổi 变化的
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
var·i·a·ble
n. variable, factor que puede variar;
a. que puede cambiar.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
variable
adj & n variable f
English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Adjective
The winds were light and variable.
The loan has a variable interest rate.
Noun
unemployment and other economic variables
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s a small lithium-ion battery under the rear seats, and front-axle torque arrives via a continuously variable automatic transmission.
—
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The data about how well misoprostol works alone, on the other hand, have been more variable.
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For me, there was a period beginning in the early seventies, and lasting perhaps five or six years, when what was in the front of my mind was the exploration of every formal, structural, and perceptual variable of an image.
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Someday, the sun will become a Mira variable.
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The final variable, I, represents mutual information.
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What Tua may not know is that the concussion protocol is imperfect and is not the only variable to consider when deciding whether to return this season.
—Tara Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Dec. 2022
Heat isn’t the only variable here either: A change in acidity from, say, adding a big squeeze of lemon juice to your simmering broth, might also promote coagulation.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 20 Nov. 2022
The offense was the variable in the equation, the defense the constant.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2022
Another variable: connecting flights and the weather at intermediate airports.
—Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘variable.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.