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

In addition to the induction ceremonies on Sept. 26, the evening will include an artistic program featuring performances reflecting Chinese, Polish, Puerto Rican and Jewish cultures, honoring the heritage of the inductees. — courant.com, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 16 Sep. 2019 North Reading Hall The North Reading Hall of Fame Committee will hold its next induction ceremony Oct. 26 at Four Points Function Hall in Wakefield. — BostonGlobe.com, "Jon Pollard," 12 Sep. 2019 Includes buffet dinner, induction ceremony and live auction. — Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, "What’s Happening sports briefs for Sept. 13," 11 Sep. 2019 Groffman, 65, attended the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in June with longtime client Dave Matthews, who inducted Cat Stevens. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "Revealed: Billboard's 2019 Top Music Lawyers Led by BTS Counsel Debbie White of Loeb & Loeb," 26 Aug. 2019 At the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Ocasek paid tribute to Benjamin Orr , the band's co-founder, who died in 2000. — Author: John Annese, David Matthews, Anchorage Daily News, "Ric Ocasek, new wave pioneer and lead singer of The Cars, found dead at home," 16 Sep. 2019 Money will be used to help operate and maintain the county’s Huntington Convention Center, freeing up revenues to support the Rock Hall inductions, which are held in Cleveland every other year, and a sports facilities fund. — Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Council increases bed tax to 6.5 percent," 6 Aug. 2019 Ahead of his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, those close to Pat Bowlen reflect on his love for the islands. — Daniel Boniface, The Denver Post, "If Jamal Murray’s new contract exceeds $200 million, he’s really earned it," 29 July 2019 The inductions of Rivera and Smith — first and third all-time in saves, respectively — are helping closers get their due in Cooperstown. — Editors, USA TODAY, "Apollo 11 mission, Baseball Hall of Fame, Marvel hits Comic-Con: 5 things to know this weekend," 20 July 2019

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 2019

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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.

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