induce

verb

in·​duce in-ˈdüs How to pronounce induce (audio)
-ˈdyüs
induced; inducing

transitive verb

1
a
: to move by persuasion or influence
b
: to call forth or bring about by influence or stimulation
2
a
b
: to cause the formation of
c
: to produce by induction
induce an electric current
3
: to determine by induction
specifically : to infer from particulars

Did you know?

Inducing is usually gentle persuasion; you may, for instance, induce a friend to go to a concert, or induce a child to stop crying. An inducement is something that might lure you to do something, though inducements are occasionally a bit menacing, like the Godfather's offer that you can't refuse. Induce also sometimes means "produce;" thus, doctors must at times induce labor in a pregnant woman. Notice that induct and induction are somewhat different from induce and inducement, though they come from the identical roots.

Examples of induce in a Sentence

The advertisement is meant to induce people to eat more fruit. No one knows what induced him to leave. Her illness was induced by overwork. They will induce labor to avoid complications.
Recent Examples on the Web Credit: Toshihiro Fujii/L-INSIGHT/Kyoto University Artist’s illustration of extensive air showers induced by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 Nov. 2023 Returning to the carnage surrounding his home induced crying spells. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 Now, in a study published this month in Nature, researchers describe a heart-brain pathway in mice that induces fainting when its neurons are activated. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023 Other fan service is regrettably on the nose, inducing more groans than pangs of recognition. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023 Long before the 20th century, physicians understood that opium and its derivatives (such as morphine, codeine and heroin) affect the brain, dampening pain and inducing euphoria. Brandy Schillace, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2023 There were quiet moments of coloring mermaids together, and others that induced squeals of delight, such as a massive cone of vanilla gelato sheathed in rainbow sprinkles at Anita Gelato in Manly. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023 Much of the benefit can likely be explained by weight loss induced by the drug. WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023 Gonorrhea infection does not induce immunity; people who have been cured can be reinfected. Helen Branswell, STAT, 10 Nov. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French inducer, from Latin inducere, from in- + ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of induce was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near induce

Cite this Entry

“Induce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/induce. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

induce

verb
in·​duce in-ˈd(y)üs How to pronounce induce (audio)
induced; inducing
1
: to lead on to do something : persuade
2
: bring about, cause
an illness induced by overwork
3
: to reach (a general conclusion) based on particular facts or examples
4
: to produce (as an electric current) by induction
inducer noun
inducible
-ˈd(y)ü-sə-bəl
adjective

Medical Definition

induce

transitive verb
in·​duce in-ˈd(y)üs How to pronounce induce (audio)
induced; inducing
1
: to cause or bring about
anesthesia induced by drugs
: as
a(1)
: to cause the embryological formation of
the optic cup induces lens tissue in the adjacent ectoderm
(2)
: to cause to form through embryonic induction
induce ectoderm to form a neural tube
b
: to cause or initiate by artificial means
induced abortion
induced labor
2
: to produce anesthesia in
the patient was induced by a mixture of thiopental and curare

More from Merriam-Webster on induce

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