induces; induced; inducing
1
somewhat formal
: to cause (someone or something) to do something
The advertisement is meant to induce people to eat more fruit.
No one knows what induced him to leave.
2
: to cause (something) to happen or exist
medication to induce vomiting
Her illness was induced by overwork.
drug-induced sleep
a stress-induced illness
3
medical
: to give (a pregnant woman) special medicine in order to make her give birth
The mother was induced.
: to cause (labor or birth) to begin by giving special drugs to a pregnant woman
They will induce labor to avoid complications.
Cite this Entry
“Induce.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/induce. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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