interpolation

noun

in·ter·po·la·tion in-ˌtər-pə-ˈlā-shən

plural interpolations

: an act of interpolating something or the state of being interpolated : the introduction or insertion of something spurious or foreign

… versions disfigured by the frequent and substantial interpolation of freely invented matter …—

Bernard Knox

: something that is introduced or inserted : an insertion or addition

How can such interpolations be identified, and what literary processes led to these additions?—

Jan Nattier

: the process of calculating an approximate value based on values that are already known

The age of tephras that were not directly dated was estimated by linear interpolation from the calibrated date.—

Richard J. Payne and Jeffrey J. Blackford

Examples of interpolation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The single is the latest example of the ongoing interpolation trend, or classic songs that are legally incorporated into new ones to create Frankenstein-monster pop songs. —

David Browne, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024 Nothing is original then, so everything will be some sort of sample or interpolation. —

Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 July 2024 The novel interpolation that nobody has ever done before is trivial for these machines. —

Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 18 July 2024 The interactive walking exhibit features eight stations drawing direct links between foundational Motown songs and music that followed years later through cover versions, sampling, interpolations and inspirations. —

Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for interpolation

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