Meaning & use
definition bar graph
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Meanings
nouncountable
A chart that uses rectangular bars of different lengths to compare amounts in different groups.
Grammar: Countable: say 'a bar graph' or 'two bar graphs'. The bars can be vertical or horizontal.
Patterns
- a bar graph of something
- a bar graph showing something
- draw a bar graph
The teacher asked us to make a bar graph of our favorite sports.
The bar graph shows how many books each class read last month.
According to the bar graph, sales were highest in July.
nouncountable
A bar graph in which the bars stand vertically, often used for time periods.
Grammar: Some speakers use 'bar graph' only for vertical bars and 'bar chart' for horizontal ones, but most people use the two terms the same way.
Patterns
- a vertical bar graph
- a horizontal bar graph
We drew a vertical bar graph to show the temperature each day.
A horizontal bar graph makes long category names easier to read.
Word forms
| plural | bar graphs |
|---|
Common combinations
- bar graph showing
- Here is a bar graph showing the number of visitors each month.
- draw a bar graph
- Please draw a bar graph of the data in your notebook.
- read a bar graph
- Can you read a bar graph and tell me which year was best?
- a simple bar graph
- A simple bar graph can explain the results quickly.
- bar graph of
- The bar graph of rainfall helps farmers plan their planting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bar chart
- The usual British term; in American English 'bar graph' is more common, but both mean the same thing.
- histogram
- A histogram looks similar but is used for continuous number ranges, not separate groups.
Word family
- bar noun
- One of the rectangular blocks in the graph.
- graph noun
- A general picture that shows how numbers are related.
- pictograph noun
- A graph that uses small pictures instead of bars.
Commonly confused: definition bar graph or line graph? definition bar graph or pie chart?
definition bar graph vs line graph
A line graph joins points with lines to show change over time; a bar graph uses separate bars to compare groups.
definition bar graph vs pie chart
A pie chart shows parts of a whole as slices of a circle, while a bar graph compares separate amounts with bars.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'bar graph' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A bar graph is a chart with bars that compares amounts, so option 0 fits. Option 3 describes a thermometer, not a chart; options 1 and 2 use the word wrongly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “definition bar graph”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.