Definition of: average

(av′rij, av′ər·ij) noun
1. Math. a The quotient of any sum divided by the number of its terms; the arithmetic mean. b A number representing an array of values of which it is a function.
2. The ordinary rank, degree, or amount; general type.
3. In marine law: a The loss arising by damage to a ship or cargo. b The proportion of such loss falling to a single person in an equitable distribution among those interested.
—adjective
1. Obtained by calculating the mean of several.
2. Medium; ordinary.
—v. ·aged, ·ag·ing v.t.
1. To fix or calculate as the mean.
2. To amount to or obtain an average of: He averages three dollars profit every hour.
3. To apportion on the average.
—v.i.
4. To be or amount to an average. [< F avarie damage to a ship or its cargo (see noun def. 3) <Ital. avaria; ult. origin uncertain]
—av′er·age·ly adverb