inference
noun
in·fer·ence
ˈin-f(ə-)rən(t)s 
-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
Synonyms
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?
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
Data center inference results The top performers in the new generative AI categories was an Nvidia H200 system that combined eight of the GPUs with two Intel Xeon CPUs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Mar. 2024
The obvious inference is that the couple are no longer regarded as an integral part of the Royal Family, about whom readers would be supplied information on the royal family website.
—Harriet Johnston, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inference 
IEEE Spectrum, 27 Mar. 2024
The obvious inference is that the couple are no longer regarded as an integral part of the Royal Family, about whom readers would be supplied information on the royal family website.
—Harriet Johnston, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inference
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inference
Cite this Entry
“Inference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inference. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inference
noun
in·fer·ence
ˈin-f(ə-)rən(t)s
1
: the act or process of inferring
2
: something inferred
Legal Definition
inference
noun
in·fer·ence
ˈin-fə-rəns
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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