1
a
: an inclination of temperament or outlook
especially
: a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice
b
: an instance of such prejudice
d(1)
: deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates
(2)
: systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
2
: a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric
especially
: a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
3
a
: a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowling
b
: the tendency of a bowl to swerve
also
: the impulse causing this tendency
c
: the swerve of the bowl
4
a
: a voltage applied to a device (such as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation
b
: a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording
biased or biassed; biasing or biassing
1
: to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook to
his background biases him against foreigners
2
: to apply a slight negative or positive voltage to (something, such as a transistor)
1
: diagonally
cut cloth bias
2
obsolete
: awry
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Bias vs. Biased
In recent years, we have seen more evidence of the adjectival bias in constructions like “a bias news program” instead of the more usual “a biased news program.” The reason is likely because of aural confusion: the -ed of biased may be filtered out by hearers, which means that bias and biased can sound similar in the context of normal speech. They are not interchangeable, however. The adjective that means “exhibited or characterized by an unreasoned judgment” is biased (“a biased news story”). There is an adjective bias, but it means “diagonal” and is used only of fabrics (“a bias cut across the fabric”).
Synonyms
Noun
Verb
Adverb
Examples of bias in a Sentence
Noun
… members of the opinion media will cherry-pick moments from the debate that support their own ideological biases.
—
Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 16 Oct. 2000
Blatant racial and gender discrimination is just about over, creating a sociological space in which to worry about subtler forms of bias.
—Gregg Easterbrook, New Republic, 20 Dec. 1999
Like the printing press before it, the computer has a powerful bias toward amplifying personal autonomy and individual problem-solving.
—Katha Pollitt, Nation, 9 Oct. 1995
He showed a bias toward a few workers in particular.
Do they have a bias against women?
The company was accused of racial bias.
The decision was made without bias.
She showed no bias toward older clients.
a student with a strong bias towards the arts
Verb
Unfortunately, his convictions are not clearly and logically developed; they mostly lurk in the background biasing his reporting. He does not always give the reader a fair chance to follow the arguments of the actors—even those with whom he ardently agrees.
—Leonard Silk, New York Times Book Review, 24 Feb. 1980
I don't want to bias you against the movie, but I thought the book was much better.
The circumstances could bias the results of the survey.
Adverb
made of fabric cut bias
Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 16 Oct. 2000
Blatant racial and gender discrimination is just about over, creating a sociological space in which to worry about subtler forms of bias.
—Gregg Easterbrook, New Republic, 20 Dec. 1999
Like the printing press before it, the computer has a powerful bias toward amplifying personal autonomy and individual problem-solving.
—Katha Pollitt, Nation, 9 Oct. 1995
He showed a bias toward a few workers in particular.
Do they have a bias against women?
The company was accused of racial bias.
The decision was made without bias.
She showed no bias toward older clients.
a student with a strong bias towards the arts
Verb
Unfortunately, his convictions are not clearly and logically developed; they mostly lurk in the background biasing his reporting. He does not always give the reader a fair chance to follow the arguments of the actors—even those with whom he ardently agrees.
—Leonard Silk, New York Times Book Review, 24 Feb. 1980
I don't want to bias you against the movie, but I thought the book was much better.
The circumstances could bias the results of the survey.
Adverb
made of fabric cut bias
Recent Examples on the Web
Ed Gaudet, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
People have to prepare themselves to check their own biases and fears and use logic and facts to guide their decision-making when these kinds of attacks occur.
—Samantha Putterman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 22 Nov. 2024
Givers are biased by their own experience of shopping and shelling out for a present.
—Melinda Fakuade, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
Yasemin Copur-Gencturk, Ian Thacker, and Joseph Cimpian, Special To Usa Today, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023
The state legislature’s education committee raised the issue in a bill this session, prosing Connecticut further develop recruitment and retention strategies for educators of color, as well as require district staff in charge of hiring teachers to undergo implicit bias and anti-bias training.
—Amanda Blanco, courant.com, 4 May 2021
See all Example Sentences for bias 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Even with unbiased data, algorithms can develop biases due to their design, resulting in unfair treatment.
—Ed Gaudet, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
People have to prepare themselves to check their own biases and fears and use logic and facts to guide their decision-making when these kinds of attacks occur.
—Samantha Putterman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
That’s thanks in part to the ingredients: The vitamin C in these discs is the star (I may be biased—after all, vitamin C is my favorite skin-care ingredient).
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 22 Nov. 2024
Givers are biased by their own experience of shopping and shelling out for a present.
—Melinda Fakuade, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Since bias may take on different forms in different fields, a one-time, one-size-fits-all anti-bias training may not have a lasting effect.
—Yasemin Copur-Gencturk, Ian Thacker, and Joseph Cimpian, Special To Usa Today, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023
The state legislature’s education committee raised the issue in a bill this session, prosing Connecticut further develop recruitment and retention strategies for educators of color, as well as require district staff in charge of hiring teachers to undergo implicit bias and anti-bias training.
—Amanda Blanco, courant.com, 4 May 2021
See all Example Sentences for bias
Dictionary Entries Near bias
Cite this Entry
“Bias.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bias. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bias
2 of 2 verb
biased or biassed; biasing or biassing
: to give a prejudiced outlook to
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