Variable
nounverified·updated May 18, 2026
A variable is a characteristic of a unit being observed that may assume more than one of a set of values to which a numerical measure or a category from a classification can be assigned.
Framework senses
- §1
- Quantity or data item whose value can change
- §1
- A variable is a characteristic of a unit being observed that may assume more than one of a set of values to which a numerical measure or a category from a classification can be assigned.
- §1
- a quantity that can assume any of a set of values
- §2
- a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
- §3
- something that is likely to vary
- §4
- a star that varies noticeably in brightness