1. 1. The act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true.
   2. The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.
2. 1. Something inferred.
   2. Usage Problem. A hint or suggestion: The editorial contained an inference of foul play in the awarding of the contract. See Usage Note at infer.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.