inference
noun
-fərn(t)s\
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
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Synonyms for inference
Synonyms
conclusion, consequence, deduction, determination, eduction, induction, sequitur
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Examples of inference in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bendy displays may not signal high-techness (via inference or trope) as much as transparent displays or VP [volumetric projection]. — Sean Hollister, The Verge, "Science fiction shows why Samsung’s folding phones might thrive," 14 Nov. 2018 The idea, says Gadi Singer, in charge of the firm’s AI products, is to have an entire portfolio of processors, each with its own specialisation—for neural networks, for self-driving cars and for inference at the edge. — The Economist, "Artificial intelligence is awakening the chip industry’s animal spirits," 7 June 2018 Men aren’t any different from women in this, or at least there isn’t any scientific evidence of biological differences in active inference. — Lisa Feldman Barrett, Time, "Why Men Need to Stop Relying on Non-Verbal Consent, According to a Neuroscientist," 11 May 2018 Is all of that enough to support the observer’s inference that the judge cannot be impartial on the relevant questions (or at least that the judge’s participation raises reasonable questions about his or her impartiality)? — Mark Tushnet, Vox, "Is it anti-Catholic to ask a Supreme Court nominee how her religion affects her decisions?," 5 July 2018 Only through astounding leaps of bad faith could someone draw any nefarious inferences from them. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Anatomy of a Pro-Trump Conspiracy Theory," 22 May 2018 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," 1 June 2017 And the problem again is that the observer concerned with impartiality can’t tell which inference to draw. — Mark Tushnet, Vox, "Is it anti-Catholic to ask a Supreme Court nominee how her religion affects her decisions?," 5 July 2018 In terms of distinguishing the two, conversion contemplates more consequential inference or damage than does trespass to chattels. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Should the NCAA Be Worried About the Lawsuit It's Facing From Former Louisville Players?," 12 July 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for inference
inference
noun
English Language Learners Definition of inference
: 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
See the full definition for inference in the English Language Learners Dictionary
inference
noun
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Kids Definition of inference
1 : the act or process of reaching a conclusion about something from known facts
2 : a conclusion or opinion reached based on known facts
inference
noun
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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
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