Variance definition

(1) An activity that varies from a norm or standard

"Any variation in his routine was immediately reported"

(2) An official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation)

"A zoning variance"

(3) The quality of being subject to variation

(4) A difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions

"A growing divergence of opinion"

(5) The second moment around the mean; the expected value of the square of the deviations of a random variable from its mean value

(6) Discord that splits a group

(7) An event that departs from expectations