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
The company says the development will lead to significant energy savings and lower costs for AI training and inference.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2025
Their own training and inference costs could plummet.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025
Data centers built for inference use consume less energy, Eaton executives noted, which could speed up the construction.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
After the stock drop, the company responded with a statement touting its own inference capabilities.
—Richard Nieva, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inference 
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IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2025
Their own training and inference costs could plummet.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025
Data centers built for inference use consume less energy, Eaton executives noted, which could speed up the construction.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025
After the stock drop, the company responded with a statement touting its own inference capabilities.
—Richard Nieva, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inference
Dictionary Entries Near inference
Cite this Entry
“Inference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inference. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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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