induction

noun

in·​duc·​tion in-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce induction (audio)
1
a
: 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
2
a(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
: 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
4
a
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That lack of transparency, although unfortunate, could be critical in maintaining the independence of the vote, given the pressure applied by President Trump, who publicly campaigned before and after his election for Rose’s induction. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025 By on-field merits alone, Rose absolutely deserves induction into the Hall — his 4,256 hits are most in MLB history. Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 2025 His significant career was formally recognized with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 The National Baseball Hall of Fame confirmed that Tuesday’s announcement makes Rose and the other 16 individuals eligible for induction. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for induction

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Induction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/induction. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

induction

noun
in·​duc·​tion in-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce induction (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of inducting (as into office)
b
: a first experience of something : initiation
c
: the procedure by which a civilian is inducted into military service
2
: reasoning from particular examples to a general conclusion
3
a
: the act of causing or bringing on or about
b
: the process of producing an electrical or magnetic effect through the influence of a nearby magnet, electric current, or electrically charged body

Medical Definition

induction

noun
in·​duc·​tion in-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce induction (audio)
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
3
a
: 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
induct transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on induction

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