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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In other words, melatonin doesn’t induce sleep so much as permit it. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 23 May 2025 But according to Matt Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Automotive Research, Europe still has an ace card to play with its leading manufacturers’ brand power which has the ability to induce excitement. Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 The lawsuit accuses YouTube of inducing Connolly into breaching the employment agreement. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025 Depositphotos View 1 Images By eliminating the essential amino acid cysteine from the diets of mice, and disabling their ability to produce it, scientists have induced rapid and dramatic weight loss. Michael Franco may 21, New Atlas, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for induce

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

Cite this Entry

“Induce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/induce. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!