interpolation

noun

in·​ter·​po·​la·​tion in-ˌtər-pə-ˈlā-shən 

plural interpolations

1

a

: an act of interpolating something or the state of being interpolated : the introduction or insertion of something spurious or foreign

… versions disfigured by the frequent and substantial interpolation of freely invented matter …

—Bernard Knox

b

: something that is introduced or inserted : an insertion or addition

How can such interpolations be identified, and what literary processes led to these additions?

—Jan Nattier

2

: the process of calculating an approximate value based on values that are already known

The age of tephras that were not directly dated was estimated by linear interpolation from the calibrated date.

—Richard J. Payne and Jeffrey J. Blackford

Examples of interpolation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The clothing, meanwhile, is made in a Chinese sweatshop, whose oppressive and dangerous working conditions Riley depicts in flashbacks and interpolations. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 May 2026

One route involves interpolation, recontextualization, and refocusing; the other approaches transposition. —Literary Hub, 19 May 2026

AIs are great at interpolation across familiar territory, enough to earn the confidence of their users, and awful at extrapolation beyond the known. —Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 19 May 2026

Her influence also reached contemporary music through samples and interpolations used by artists including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Major Lazer, and J Balvin. —Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing interpolation

• linear interpolation

Rhymes for interpolation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration