Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

inductive

adjective in·duc·tive \ in-ˈdək-tiv \
|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018
1 : leading on : inducing
2 : of, relating to, or employing mathematical or logical induction
  • inductive reasoning
3 : of or relating to inductance or electrical induction
4 : introductory
5 : involving the action of an embryological organizer : tending to produce induction
—

inductively

adverb

See inductive defined for English-language learners

See inductive defined for kids

Recent Examples of inductive from the Web

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

First Known Use of inductive

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

INDUCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

inductive

adjective

  • : using particular examples to reach a general conclusion about something

Medical Dictionary

inductive

adjective in·duc·tive \ in-ˈdək-tiv \
1 : of or relating to inductance or electrical induction
2 : involving the action of an embryological inductor : tending to produce induction
  • the inductive effect of chordamesoderm
  • inductive reactions in the embryo
—

inductively

adverb

Learn More about inductive

  1. See words that rhyme with inductive Spanish Central: Translation of inductive Nglish: Translation of inductive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inductive for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up inductive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

paste

play

to beat or defeat soundly

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. ideologue 'an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology'

  2. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  3. uphold 'to let stand'

  4. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

  5. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

inductive

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games