regression

Everyday

1. Going back to an earlier, worse or less developed state. tree →
2. (maths, statistics) A way of finding the line or rule that best fits data, to see how one thing changes with another. tree →
3. (psychology) When a person, often a child, starts acting younger than their age, for example after a shock. tree →
4. (computing) A bug where something that used to work stops working. tree →

In the lessons

In science and maths for older pupils «regression line» or «line of best fit» shows the trend on a scatter graph. In everyday life and health it can describe an illness coming back or a child going back to babyish habits, like a toddler wetting the bed again when a new baby arrives. Phrases: «regression to», «linear regression», «a regression in».

Examples

• After the new baby came, my little brother showed some regression and wanted a bottle again. tree →
• The doctor was worried about a regression in her health. tree →
• We drew a regression line through the points on the graph. tree →
• The new update caused a regression, and the game crashed again. tree →
• Scientists used regression to see how height changes with age. tree →
• Sleep regression is when a baby suddenly sleeps badly again. tree →

Note

Countable in the technical senses. Verb: «regress». Opposite: «progression» or «progress». In maths, a regression line is a best guess of the trend, not an exact rule; points do not all sit on it.