Definition of Moving Average (MA)
A technical indicator that smooths price data by calculating the average price over a specific number of periods. Common types: Simple Moving Average (SMA) and Exponential Moving Average (EMA).
At a glance
Term
Moving Average (MA)
URL slug
moving-average-ma
Category
General
Short answer
A technical indicator that smooths price data by calculating the average price over a specific number of periods.
Deep dives
Full A–Z glossary
Example
Apply the definition: restate “Moving Average (MA)” in one sentence tied to your next trade (symbol, direction, size, stop). If you cannot, re-read the definition above.
Common mistake
Common mistake: using “Moving Average (MA)” as loose slang while your broker/platform specification defines it more narrowly.
Professional tip
Tip: bookmark this “Moving Average (MA)” page and reopen it when reading broker specs so definitions stay consistent.
Practice tools:
Related terms
FAQ
A technical indicator that smooths price data by calculating the average price over a specific number of periods.
Knowing the precise definition of “Moving Average (MA)” prevents platform and broker-spec mistakes—a common source of size and cost errors.
Common mistake: using “Moving Average (MA)” as loose slang while your broker/platform specification defines it more narrowly.