A
statistic (singular) is used to indicate the result of applying a statistical algorithm to a
set of data.
In the calculation of the
arithmetic mean, for example, the algorithm directs us to sum all the data values and divide by the number of data items.
In this case, we call the mean a statistic.
To be complete in describing any use of a statistic, one must describe both the procedure and the dataset.
See also: statistics and statistical theory