induction

noun

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in·duc·tion | \ in-ˈdək-shən

Definition of induction

1a : 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

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

3a : 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

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

b : the act of causing or bringing on or about

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

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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 Still, converting from a gas cooktop to an electric-induction one can have a substantial, if different, impact. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "Get a Heat Pump," 26 Feb. 2021 The following year he was drafted and refused induction, which forced the couple to return to Utah to wait and see if he’d be sent to jail. — New York Times, "An Artist Exposing Fascism Through Provocation," 17 Feb. 2021 To make a point, Adams refused induction into the military because the U.S. was failing to live up to its treaty obligations. — Time, "American Indian Activist Hank Adams Dies at 77," 25 Dec. 2020 Check out this roundup by the U-T’s Kragen. Music, Part II From a Pulitzer Prize-winning new opera and a Grammy Award nomination to the Library of Congress’ induction of a 42-year-old disco anthem, 2020 was a banner year for San Diego musicians. — David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Arts & Culture Newsletter: A hearty dose of ‘Jagged Little Pill’," 10 Dec. 2020 The unit also offers stainless-steel appliances, including an induction stove. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Home of the Week: A 3-bedroom unit in a Fort Point artists co-op puts creativity on display," 5 Feb. 2021 Virtually all of the players on the ballot with the most obvious Hall-worthy statistics have something on their résumés that, depending on one’s interpretation of the character clause, could disqualify them from induction into Cooperstown. — Jared Diamond, WSJ, "Baseball’s Hall of Fame Vote Becomes a Test of ‘Character Clause’," 24 Jan. 2021 And finally Don Sutton’s Hall of Fame induction speech. — Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers Dugout: RIP Don Sutton," 21 Jan. 2021 The Hubbard, Ohio native’s induction is a result of his 12 years as the head coach at Florida A&M, compiling a 83-48-3 record. — Stephen Means, cleveland, "Former Ohio State football player Rudy Hubbard to be part of the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame class," 11 Jan. 2021

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

5 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Induction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/induction. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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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.

US : 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