imputation

noun

im·​pu·​ta·​tion ˌim-pyə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce imputation (audio)
1
: the act of imputing: such as
a
: accusation
denied any imputation of unfairness
2
: something imputed
imputative adjective
imputatively adverb

Examples of imputation in a Sentence

I resent the imputation that I'm nice to Grandmother because she has money.
Recent Examples on the Web But as college campuses have been roiled by pro-Palestinian protests and accusations of antisemitism in recent months, Ressa has now been accused by a Republican congresswoman and prominent Harvard alum of being antisemitic—an imputation that Ressa categorically denied to TIME on Monday. Chad De Guzman, TIME, 6 May 2024 Much will depend on the imputations that drive the PCE index (e.g. housing expense, rent etc.). William Dunkelberg, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Third, the imputation accuracy might be compromised in this region as was shown by our Finnish sample. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2010 The concept of imputation is not yet fully appreciated by forensics experts who have a biological background. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2023 But a pardon still carries an imputation of guilt. Celina Tebor, USA TODAY, 23 Nov. 2021 In these cases — 1.2 million people in 2010, but probably many more in pandemic-scarred 2020 — the bureau has long used a statistical method called imputation, looking at nearby households to make educated guesses about who lives in the places the census field operation missed. New York Times, 12 Aug. 2021 They were concerned that a statistical technique called imputation used to fill in gaps in the numbers would affect state population figures and how they would be used for apportionment. Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2021 Together, the incomplete tagging or inaccurate imputation combined with the use of an inappropriate genetic model may explain why this association has remained undetected. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imputation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imputation was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near imputation

Cite this Entry

“Imputation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imputation. Accessed 13 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

imputation

noun
im·​pu·​ta·​tion ˌim-pyə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce imputation (audio)
: the act or an instance of imputing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!