rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybimodalTwo distinct modes
adjective

bimodal

bye-MOH-dul/bˌaɪmˈoʊdʌl/

Having two distinct modes or patterns.

The bimodal graph shows one peak near each end.

A simple hand-drawn statistical chart has one continuous smooth curve with exactly two distinct separated peaks and a low valley between, plain axes with no words or digits.
Etymology
biLatintwo, double
+modalLatinpertaining to a mode

Bi- adds ‘two’ to ‘pertaining to a mode.’ In the statistical sense, the modes are common values, so a bimodal distribution has two distinct peaks rather than one.

In context

UMass Amherst45:41
And just using a policy scale for liberal versus conservative, you see this bimodal distribution polarized left and right.
"The Structures of Polarization" a panel discussion from the Polarization Symposium at UMass Amherst

More examples

  • A bimodal transport system combines road and rail service.
  • The measurements follow a bimodal distribution.
  • Researchers identify two distinct patterns in the bimodal data.

Similar words

unimodal
Has one mode or prominent peak.
multimodal
Has multiple modes without specifying exactly two.