probability

 
Pronunciation: /prɒbəˈbɪlɪti/

noun (plural probabilities)

[mass noun]
  • the quality or state of being probable; the extent to which something is likely to happen or be the case: the rain will make the probability of a postponement even greater
  • [count noun] a probable or the most probable event: for a time revolution was a strong probability
  • Mathematics the extent to which an event is likely to occur, measured by the ratio of the favourable cases to the whole number of cases possible: the area under the curve represents probability [count noun]: a probability of 0.5

Phrases

in all probability

used to convey that something is very likely: he would in all probability make himself known

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin probabilitas, from probabilis 'provable, credible' (see probable)