1. the insertion of something of a different nature into something else
2. an alteration or corruption of a text by inserting new or foreign matter
Usage: literary; textual criticism
3. the estimation of unknown values that fall between two known values
Usage: mathematics; statistics

Examples

• The scholar detected several interpolations in the ancient manuscript.
• The editor’s interpolations changed the meaning of the original poem.
• Linear interpolation helped estimate the missing data points.
• The interpolation of modern slang into the historical novel seemed out of place.
• Mathematical interpolation is useful for filling gaps in datasets.
• The interpolation of personal comments disrupted the formal presentation.
• Computer graphics use interpolation to create smooth animations between keyframes.