inference

noun in·fer·ence \ ˈin-f(ə-)rən(t)s , -fərn(t)s \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of inference

1 : the act or process of inferring (see infer): such as

a : the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former

b : the act of passing from statistical sample data to generalizations (as of the value of population parameters) usually with calculated degrees of certainty

2 : something that is inferred; especially : a conclusion or opinion that is formed because of known facts or evidence

3 : the premises and conclusion of a process of inferring

See inference defined for English-language learners

See inference defined for kids

Examples of inference in a Sentence

In spite of the fact that there are virtually no controlled clinical trials examining the effects of obesity in people, we can make some inferences from animal research. —Patrick Johnson, Skeptical Inquirer, September/October 2005
We cannot see a past event directly, but science is usually based on inference, not unvarnished observation (you don't see electrons, gravity, or black holes either). —Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
The writer of science fiction extends or projects or draws inferences from what is known and accepted. —Karl Kroeber, Romantic Fantasy and Science Fiction, 1988
Its existence is only known by inference.
The program uses records of past purchases to make inferences about what customers will buy in the future.
What inference can we draw from these facts?

Recent Examples of inference from the Web

One can make certain inferences from these names — 40 Wall Street LLC, for example, is probably a holding company that owns the Trump Building in New York’s financial district whose address is 40 Wall Street.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "Michael Cohen’s LLC got secret corporate payments. America needs to know if Trump's shell companies did too.," 9 May 2018
Just because some readers see a defamatory meaning in a tweet does not necessarily mean that inference is reasonable, either.

— NBC News, "High hurdles for Stormy Daniels' defamation suit against Trump," 1 May 2018
Or are inference, deduction, and other forms of logical reasoning independent of our ability to put words to them?

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "Although they can’t tell us about it, infants can reason," 19 Mar. 2018
Mix And Match All the ways marketers and advertisers can combine these data points to make inferences about users also remains unclear.

— louise matsakis, WIRED, "Facebook's Targeted Ads Are More Complex Than It Lets On," 25 Apr. 2018
But Castellanos was called out for batter inference.

— george sipple, Detroit Free Press, "Jordan Zimmermann likes his nine-hit outing; Detroit Tigers fall, 4-1," 24 Mar. 2018
Working through problems requires logic and inference and, now more than ever, the ability to troubleshoot difficult-to-diagnose digital malfunctions.

— benjamin preston, Car and Driver, "Wanted: A Shortage of Qualified Automotive Technicians Has Left Service Departments Scrambling To Find New Talent," 22 Mar. 2018
But this experiment can only measure the response after an inference has been made.

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "Although they can’t tell us about it, infants can reason," 19 Mar. 2018
The union's accusations against her campaign come on the heels of another teacher organization decrying that Chow made false endorsement inferences.

— staff report, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois teachers union says 17th District state rep candidate Chow 'deceiving voters' with mailers indicating endorsement," 18 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inference.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inference

see infer

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

inference Synonyms

Synonyms

conclusion, consequence, deduction, determination, eduction, induction;

conjecture, guess, surmise;

assumption, presumption, supposition;

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

INFERENCE Defined for English Language Learners

inference

noun

Definition of inference for English Language Learners

: the act or process of reaching a conclusion about something from known facts or evidence
: a conclusion or opinion that is formed because of known facts or evidence

INFERENCE Defined for Kids

inference

noun in·fer·ence \ ˈin-fə-rəns \

Definition of inference for Students

1 : the act or process of reaching a conclusion about something from known facts

2 : a conclusion or opinion reached based on known facts

Law Dictionary

inference

noun in·fer·ence \ ˈin-fə-rəns \

legal Definition of inference

1 : the act or process of inferring; specifically : the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow logically from that of the former