The Meaning of Stat: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of stat? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word stat, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word stat mean?

According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and The Free Dictionary as well as sources like American Heritage, the word stat has many different meanings. Stat can be used as an abbreviation for statistic. This is often used in plural as the singular simple present stats. In this case, it would be a noun. Stat can also be used as an adverb meaning without delay or immediately. This is often used in a medical context. Stat can also be an abbreviation for stature, or a noun combining form that either created a stabilizing device or agent such as in thermostat, an instrument that reflects something constantly in one direction like a heliostat, or something that causes the inhibition of growth like a bacteriostat. 

The STAT acronym can also stand for a plethora of different definitions. It does not only have to be used by nurses and doctors to mean now, or as an abbreviation for statistics. If you do decide to use one of these acronyms and abbreviations, make sure that you provide the appropriate context or use the full form instead.

  •  Security Threat Avoidance Technology (Harris Corporation)
  •  Space Telescope Astrometry Team
  •  Situation Triage and Assessment Team
  •  Short Turn-Around Time
  •  Science and Technology Assistance Team
  •  Science Teachers Association of Texas
  •  Small Transport Aircraft Technology
  •  Scientific Test and Analysis Techniques (various organizations)
  •  Status
  •  Superfund Technical Assessment Team
  •  Stafford Aquatic Team (swim team)
  •  Students Teaching Anti-Tobacco
  •  Southern Tier Alternative Therapies, Inc. (Binghamton, NY)
  •  Short Term Assessment and Treatment
  •  Standing Tall and Talented (nickname for basketball player Amare Stoudemire)
  •  Slotted Tube Atom Trap
  •  Statistical (mathematics)
  •  State Transition Analysis Technique
  •  Statutes at Large (IRB)
  •  Sooner Than Already There 🙂
  •  Stratospheric Tracers of Atmospheric Transport
  •  Statistics Austria (government bureau)
  •  Student Trial Advocacy Team
  •  Photostat
  •  Stop Teenage Addiction to Tobacco
  •  Security Test and Analysis Tool
  •  Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique
  •  Substance Testing Applications and Technology
  •  Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription
  •  Some Time After Tomorrow (humor)

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word stat?

There are many different words that can be used in place of the word stat if you are using it to mean immediately. This list of synonyms is provided by Thesaurus

  •  straight away
  •  summarily
  •  promptly
  •  away
  •  rapidly
  •  now or never
  •  this minute
  •  instantly
  •  tout de suite
  •  immediately
  •  now
  •  right away
  •  shortly
  •  thereupon
  •  in a New York minute
  •  instantaneously
  •  in a flash
  •  PDQ
  •  unhesitatingly
  •  forthwith
  •  straight off
  •  without hesitation
  •  this instant
  •  directly
  •  soon afterward
  •  double-time
  •  anon
  •  soon
  •  instanter
  •  at short notice
  •  without delay
  •  on the spot
  •  in nothing flat
  •  in a jiffy
  •  on the double
  •  urgently
  •  right now
  •  hereupon
  •  at once
  •  like now
  •  on the dot
  •  pronto

There are also numerous antonyms, or opposite words, for the word stat when used to mean immediately. These are also provided by Thesaurus. 

  •  by and by
  •  after
  •  subsequently
  •  later
  •  down the road
  •  down the line
  •  afterward
  •  later on
  •  at another time
  •  infra
  •  next
  •  thereafter
  •  in a while
  •  come Sunday
  •  again
  •  latterly
  •  more recent
  •  in time
  •  behind
  •  succeeding

What is the origin of the word stat?

According to Etymonline, the word stat was used before 1970 to refer to an instrument that keeps something stationary. This was taken from the abbreviation of the Latin statim or stata, an adverb meaning steadily, regularly, or immediately. This comes from the Latin status, meaning a station or place. This noun of action was taken from the past participle of stare from the Greek stem of histánai and the Proto-Into-European root sta meaning to stand. This has been used as an abbreviation for statistic or statistics since 1961. The medical term and later slang term stat was taken directly from the Latin statim, per Medicine Net. Related words include statue, statuary, statute, and more.

How can the word stat be used in a sentence?

The word stat can be used in many different ways in the English language due to its various different meanings. Below are several examples of stat utilizing its varied meanings. Try making flashcards or quizzes to memorize the various definitions of stat. You can also try using this word of the day in a sentence to memorize its various definitions. 

The sports fans looked closely at their stat sheets when preparing to place their bets on the tournament.

Go to the store and get us another box of stuffing, stat. You brother just told me he was coming over for Thanksgiving and he never leaves enough stuffing for the rest of us. Quick, they close in an hour.

Hannah, get to the register, stat. There is a line of people out the door and Julia is the only one checking any one out. People are starting to get annoyed.

She read up on the stats of the prescription she just received on the internet. She wasn’t too keen on her odds of ending up with headaches, digestive distress, or any of the other possible side effects.

Overall, the word stat means many different things. Stat can be used as a shorthand for statistic or statistics, in names of devices, or as an adverb or adjective meaning now. This comes from the Latin word statim and Greek statēs, from histanai. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Stat is a very versatile word that can be used in many different settings and circumstances.

Sources:

  1. stat | Origin and meaning of stat | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  2. Stat | Definition of Stat | Merriam-Webster 
  3. Stat – definition of stat | The Free Dictionary 
  4. Medical Definition of STAT | Medicine Net 
  5. IMMEDIATELY Synonyms: 42 Synonyms & Antonyms for IMMEDIATELY | Thesaurus 
  6. LATER Synonyms: 35 Synonyms & Antonyms for LATER | ThesaurusÂ