covariate
//koʊˈvɛəriət//
Noun
covariateSingular
covariatesPlural
1
A variable that is possibly predictive of the outcome under study; an independent variable that may influence the dependent variable in a statistical model.
The researchers included age and gender as covariates in their statistical analysis.
2
In experimental design, a variable that is measured and used to adjust for pre-existing differences between groups.
The researchers included age as a covariate to account for differences between the treatment and control groups.