noun
- the practice of using a theory or model to explain or account for events that have already occurred
Usage: scientific; academic
Examples
- The scientist used retrodiction to explain how the fossil record supported evolutionary theory.
- Retrodiction in economics helps analysts understand why certain market crashes occurred.
- The climate model’s retrodiction accurately matched historical temperature data.
- Astronomers employed retrodiction to trace the path of the comet through past observations.
- The theory’s strength was demonstrated through successful retrodiction of known phenomena.
- Retrodiction differs from prediction in that it explains past events rather than future ones.