On Statistics: Some Modern Definitions (2001 – …)

“Statistics is the branch of mathematics that uses observations and measurements called data to analyze, summarize, make inferences, and draw conclusions based on the data gathered.” (Allan G Bluman, “Probability Demystified”, 2005)

“Put simply, statistics is a range of procedures for gathering, organizing, analyzing and presenting quantitative data. […] Essentially […], statistics is a scientific approach to analyzing numerical data in order to enable us to maximize our interpretation, understanding and use. This means that statistics helps us turn data into information; that is, data that have been interpreted, understood and are useful to the recipient. Put formally, for your project, statistics is the systematic collection and analysis of numerical data, in order to investigate or discover relationships among phenomena so as to explain, predict and control their occurrence.” (Reva B Brown & Mark Saunders, “Dealing with Statistics: What You Need to Know”, 2008)

“Statistics is the art of learning from data. It is concerned with the collection of data, their subsequent description, and their analysis, which often leads to the drawing of conclusions.” (Sheldon M Ross, “Introductory Statistics” 3rd Ed., 2009)

“Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data in order to make decisions.” (Ron Larson & Betsy Farber, “Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World” 5th Ed., 2011)

“Statistics is the discipline of using data samples to support claims about populations.” (Allen B Downey, “Think Stats: Probability and Statistics for Programmers”, 2011)

“Statistics is the scientific discipline that provides methods to help us make sense of data. […] The field of statistics teaches us how to make intelligent judgments and informed decisions in the presence of uncertainty and variation.” (Roxy Peck & Jay L Devore, “Statistics: The Exploration and Analysis of Data” 7th Ed, 2012)

“[…] statistics is a method of pursuing truth. At a minimum, statistics can tell you the likelihood that your hunch is true in this time and place and with these sorts of people. This type of pursuit of truth, especially in the form of an event’s future likelihood, is the essence of psychology, of science, and of human evolution.” (Arthhur Aron et al, "Statistics for Phsychology" 6th Ed., 2012)

“Statistics is the art and science of designing studies and analyzing the data that those studies produce. Its ultimate goal is translating data into knowledge and understanding of the world around us. In short, statistics is the art and science of learning from data.” (Alan Agresti & Christine Franklin, “Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data” 3rd Ed., 2013)

“Statistics is a science that helps us make decisions and draw conclusions in the presence of variability.” (Douglas C Montgomery & George C Runger, “Applied Statistics and Probability for Engineers” 6th Ed., 2014)

“Statistics is an integral part of the quantitative approach to knowledge. The field of statistics is concerned with the scientific study of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.” (Kandethody M Ramachandran & Chris P Tsokos, “Mathematical Statistics with Applications in R” 2nd Ed., 2015)

“Statistics can be defined as a collection of techniques used when planning a data collection, and when subsequently analyzing and presenting data.” (Birger S Madsen, “Statistics for Non-Statisticians”, 2016)

“Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, and interpreting numerical facts, which we call data. […] Statistics is the science of learning from data.” (Moore McCabe & Alwan Craig, “The Practice of Statistics for Business and Economics” 4th Ed., 2016)

“Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, summarizing, and analyzing information to draw conclusions or answer questions. In addition, statistics is about providing a measure of confidence in any conclusions.” (Michael Sullivan, “Statistics: Informed Decisions Using Data”, 5th Ed., 2017)

Further definitions:
1800-1900
1901-1950
1951-2000