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Formally, "average" refers to one of two measures of a data set:

The data set's mean: sum all the items in the data set and divide by the number of items summed. If three children have heights of 2 feet, 3 feet, and 5 feet, then their mean height is 3 and 1/3 feet.

Imagine an extra-long yardstick. Now let's say we hang bowling balls of equal weight from the yardstick at the 2-foot mark, the 3-foot mark, and the 5-foot mark. Assuming the bowling balls don't all slide off, the yardstick should balance if it's held near the 3 and 1/3 foot mark. This is a general observation about the mean that might be helpful if you're [wondering] what to think of it.

The data set's median, or its middle item. If three children have heights of 2 feet, 3 feet, and 5 feet, then their median height is 3 feet. Statisticians disagree on how the median is defined with respect to a data set with an even number of elements.

It's really quite unfortunate the way "average" has come to mean two things. I strongly recommend the use of "mean" or "median" if you know [what the fuck] you're talking about.

Informally, the word "average" is even more misused. I can accept sentences like "The average adult watches 4.5 hours of television a day," even though they're technically incorrect--a little [rhetorical flourish] is fine. But the commonly accepted meaning of "average" is certainly **not** "just under par", as some [Urban Dictionary users] seem to use it.

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