inference

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

Definition of inference

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

The emotions are reserved, internal, psychology communicated in inferences.

— katie walsh, idahostatesman, "‘The Beguiled’ a masterpiece of woman, war", 29 June 2017
More often, memories are reconstructions of facts, inferences and imagined details that people patch together after the fact, helping them build a sense of identity.

— sue shellenbarger, WSJ, "The Family Memory You Think You Have", 27 June 2017
Ms. Trump’s public statements regarding active and comprehensive brand management lead to a reasonable inference that the shoe at issue would not have been released without her approval.

— jenni miller, The Cut, "Ivanka Trump Will Have to Testify in Shoe Trademark Suit", 24 June 2017
Russia’s election inference was one of the most divisive topics of the presidential campaign.

— samuel granados, Washington Post, "The Post’s new findings in Russia’s bold campaign to influence the U.S. election", 23 June 2017
Noah Millman of The American Conservative praised the show’s timely inferences: Director Rob Melrose has set his Caesar at our precise historical moment, in Obama’s Washington, D.C.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Misplaced Outrage Over a Trumpian Julius Caesar", 12 June 2017
This inference is drawn partly from the isotopic similarity of hydrogen, nitrogen and other materials on Earth to that of certain asteroids known as carbonaceous chondrites, as measured in meteorite samples, Marty said.

— NBC News, "We Might Not Exist If It Weren't For Comets", 9 June 2017
Those memos, too, though, said the answer was a matter of structure and inference.

— adam liptak, New York Times, "A Constitutional Puzzle: Can the President Be Indicted?", 29 May 2017
Bayesian inference considers both the strength of new evidence and the strength of your existing hypotheses.

— alison gopnik, Scientific American, "Artificial Intelligence Helps in Learning How Children Learn", 22 May 2017

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!

First Known Use: 1594

See Words from the same year

Other Logic Terms

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

INFERENCE Defined for English Language Learners

inference

play

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

play

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

play

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
2 : something inferred; especially : a proposition arrived at by inference — see also permissive presumption at presumption
3 : the premises and conclusions of a process of inferring