inference

noun

in·​fer·​ence ˈin-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce inference (audio)
-fərn(t)s
1
: something that is inferred
especially : a conclusion or opinion that is formed because of known facts or evidence
2
: 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
3
: the premises and conclusion of a process of inferring

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is an area where companies like Pure Storage hope to provide primary storage to support existing model fine tuning and inference to solve real world solutions in a variety of industries. Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 These metrics provide essential visibility into not just where energy is being consumed, but how efficiently it's being utilized across model training, inference, and supporting infrastructure. Aya Saed, Time, 17 June 2025 Chinese firms have also pioneered software development techniques to maximize already available hardware in order to optimize training and inference time and lower overall costs. Sebastian Elbaum, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2025 Under this framework, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving circumstances that give rise to an inference of employment discrimination. Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inference

Word History

Etymology

see infer

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of inference was in 1593

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inference. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

inference

noun
in·​fer·​ence ˈin-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce inference (audio)
1
: the act or process of inferring
2
: something inferred

Legal Definition

inference

noun
in·​fer·​ence ˈin-fə-rəns How to pronounce inference (audio)
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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