induction

noun

in·​duc·​tion in-ˈdək-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of inducting (as into office)

b

: the formality by which a civilian is inducted into military service

c

: an initial experience : initiation

her induction into the team's pregame rituals

2

a(1)

: reasoning that uses a set of examples to reach a general conclusion about something : inference of a generalized conclusion from particular instances compare deduction sense 2a

(2)

: a conclusion arrived at by induction

Note: Induction can be contrasted with logical deduction, in which the conclusion follows necessarily from general or universal premises.

b

: mathematical demonstration of the validity of a law concerning all the positive integers by proving that it holds for the integer 1 and that if it holds for an arbitrarily chosen positive integer k, it must hold for the integer k + 1

called also mathematical induction

3

a

: the process by which an electrical conductor becomes electrified when near a charged body, by which a magnetizable body becomes magnetized when in a magnetic field or in the magnetic flux set up by a magnetomotive force, or by which an electromotive force is produced in a circuit by varying the magnetic field linked with the circuit

b

: the inspiration of the fuel-air charge from the carburetor into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine

c

: the process by which the fate of embryonic cells is determined (as by the action of adjacent cells) and morphogenetic differentiation brought about

4

a

: the act of bringing forward or adducing something (such as facts or particulars)

b

: the act of causing or bringing on or about

induction of labor

5

: a preface, prologue, or introductory scene especially of an early English play

Synonyms of induction

• inauguration
• inaugural
• initiation

Examples of induction in a Sentence

Many people attended the bishop's induction.

The induction ceremony was held at a banquet hall.

the registration and induction of draftees

Recent Examples on the Web

Was Shackelford saying the hospital was finally going to allow an induction? —Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 28 May 2026

The resulting crossover, debuted in 2022, is closer in size to a Subaru Crosstrek than any conventional sport-ute, and its 715 hp V-12 makes power the old-fashioned way, through revs and magic rather than forced induction. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026

The Hall induction night is something that can move even the great ones to tears, and Busch would have proudly worn the blue induction jacket. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Bailey was honored with a pair of inductions during his coaching career, reaching the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in his native Missouri and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. —Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing induction

• induction coil
• induction heating
• induction motor
• mathematical induction
• pre-induction
• self-induction

Rhymes for induction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Kids Definition

induction

noun

in·​duc·​tion in-ˈdək-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of inducting (as into office)

b

: a first experience of something : initiation

c

: the procedure by which a civilian is inducted into military service

2

: reasoning from particular examples to a general conclusion

3

a

: the act of causing or bringing on or about

b

: the process of producing an electrical or magnetic effect through the influence of a nearby magnet, electric current, or electrically charged body

Medical Definition

induction

noun

in·​duc·​tion in-ˈdək-shən 

1

: the act of causing or bringing on or about

induction of labor

specifically : the establishment of the initial state of anesthesia often with an agent other than that used subsequently to maintain the anesthetic state

2

: the process by which an electrical conductor becomes electrified when near a charged body, by which a magnetizable body becomes magnetized when in a magnetic field or in the magnetic flux set up by a magnetomotive force, or by which an electromotive force is produced in a circuit by varying the magnetic field linked with the circuit

3

a

: arousal of a part or area (as of the retina) by stimulation of an adjacent part or area

b

: the process by which the fate of embryonic cells is determined (as by the action of adjacent cells) and morphogenetic differentiation brought about

induct

in-ˈdəkt 

transitive verb