induction

noun

in·duc·tion | \in-ˈdək-shən

Definition of induction

1a : the act or process of inducting (as into office)

b : an initial experience : initiation

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

2a(1) : inference of a generalized conclusion from particular instances — compare deduction sense 2a

(2) : a conclusion arrived at by induction

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

4a : the act of bringing forward or adducing something (such as facts or particulars)

b : the act of causing or bringing on or about

c : 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

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

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

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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

Former Lady Vols star Chamique Holdsclaw and former Tennessee assistant Mickie DeMoss both referenced Summitt in their induction speeches. — Steve Megargee, The Courier-Journal, "Assumption grad Ceal Barry inducted to Women's Basketball Hall of Fame," 10 June 2018 For as elaborate and serious as The Moody Blues' music was, the living members' induction speeches were rather brief, humorous and to the point. — Troy L. Smith, cleveland.com, "The Moody Blues close out 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony," 15 Apr. 2018 The combo entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and inspired guitarists Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the second of whom gave the induction speech. — Terence Mcardle, chicagotribune.com, "Nokie Edwards, influential lead guitarist of the Ventures, dies at 82," 14 Mar. 2018 The induction ceremony will be held April 28 at Temple Israel of Lawrence in New York. — baltimoresun.com, "Digest (June 30): Randy Hippeard throws five TD passes, but Brigade upended," 30 June 2018 There’s no shortage of events to choose from, with Boise State’s hall of fame induction, Idaho Steelheads playoff hockey, Meridian Speedway racing and Boise State football’s spring scrimmage all happening in a 24-hour span. — Rachel Roberts, Dave Southorn And Chadd Cripe, idahostatesman, "Take it all in, sports fans: Kellen Moore, playoff hockey, BSU football, racing | Idaho Statesman," 12 Apr. 2018 Russell, who averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game in his 13-year career, appeared in 12 straight All-Star games while earning five MVP awards en route to a Hall of Fame induction. — Angel Guerrero, sacbee, "Booms and busts at No. 2: Kings could draft a Kevin Durant ... or a Darko Milicic," 14 June 2018 One of the pivotal figures in women’s MMA is set for a 2018 UFC Hall of Fame induction. — Mmajunkie, USA TODAY, "Ronda Rousey to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame," 9 June 2018 Terrell Owens will not go to his Hall of Fame induction. — Zach Berman, Philly.com, "Carson Wentz's progress an important story in busy week of Eagles news | Early Birds," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'induction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near induction

induction accelerator

induction coil

induction compass

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Last Updated

11 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for induction

The first known use of induction was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for induction

induction

noun

English Language Learners Definition of induction

: the formal act or process of placing someone into a new job, position, government office, etc.

: the formal act of making someone a member of the military

medical : the act of giving a pregnant woman special drugs so that she will give birth

See the full definition for induction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

induction

noun

in·duc·tion | \in-ˈdək-shən

Kids Definition of induction

1 : the act or process of placing someone in a new job or position induction into the Hall of Fame

2 : the production of an electrical or magnetic effect through the influence of a nearby magnet, electrical current, or electrically charged body

induction

noun

in·duc·tion | \in-ˈdək-shən

Medical Definition of induction

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

3a : 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