Definition of "Variance" :

noun: an activity that varies from a norm or standard

noun: an official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation)

"A zoning variance."

noun: the quality of being subject to variation

noun: a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions

noun: the second moment around the mean; the expected value of the square of the deviations of a random variable from its mean value

noun: discord that splits a group

noun: an event that departs from expectations