root mean square

noun, Mathematics
1.
the square root of the arithmetic mean of the squares of the numbers in a given set of numbers.
Abbreviation: rms.
Origin
1890-95
Examples from the web for root mean square
  • The root mean square error of approximation values was robust in the presence of kurtosis for the elliptical estimation methods.
British Dictionary definitions for root mean square

root mean square

noun
1.
the square root of the average of the squares of a set of numbers or quantities: the root mean square of 1, 2, and 4 is √[(1² + 2² + 4²)/3] = √7, rms