induction

American  

[in-duhk-shuhn] / ɪnˈdʌk ʃən /

noun

• inductions
  plural

1. the act of inducing, bringing about, or causing.

   induction of the hypnotic state.

2. the act of inducting; introduction; initiation.

3. formal installation in an office, benefice, or the like.

4. Logic.

   1. Also called Baconian method.  any form of reasoning in which the conclusion, though supported by the premises, does not follow from them necessarily.

   2. the process of estimating the validity of observations of part of a class of facts as evidence for a proposition about the whole class.

   3. a conclusion reached by this process.

5. Also called mathematical induction.  Mathematics. a method of proving a given property true for a set of numbers by proving it true for 1 and then true for an arbitrary positive integer by assuming the property true for all previous positive integers and applying the principle of mathematical induction.

6. a presentation or bringing forward, as of facts or evidence.

7. Electricity, Magnetism. the process by which a body having electric or magnetic properties produces magnetism, an electric charge, or an electromotive force in a neighboring body without contact.

8. Embryology. the process or principle by which one part of the embryo influences the differentiation of another part.

9. Biochemistry. the synthesis of an enzyme in response to an increased concentration of its substrate in the cell.

10. an introductory unit in literary work, especially in an early play; prelude or scene independent of the main performance but related to it.

11. Archaic. a preface.

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induction British  

/ ɪnˈdʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act of inducting or state of being inducted

2. the act of inducing

3. (in an internal-combustion engine) the part of the action of a piston by which mixed air and fuel are drawn from the carburettor to the cylinder

4. logic

   1. a process of reasoning, used esp in science, by which a general conclusion is drawn from a set of premises, based mainly on experience or experimental evidence. The conclusion goes beyond the information contained in the premises, and does not follow necessarily from them. Thus an inductive argument may be highly probable, yet lead from true premises to a false conclusion

   2. a conclusion reached by this process of reasoning Compare deduction

5. the process by which electrical or magnetic properties are transferred, without physical contact, from one circuit or body to another See also inductance

6. biology the effect of one tissue, esp an embryonic tissue, on the development of an adjacent tissue

7. biochem the process by which synthesis of an enzyme is stimulated by the presence of its substrate

8. maths logic

   1. a method of proving a proposition that all integers have a property, by first proving that 1 has the property and then that if the integer n has it so has n + 1

   2. the application of recursive rules

9. 1. a formal introduction or entry into an office or position

   2. ( as modifier )

      induction course

      induction period

10. the formal enlistment of a civilian into military service

11. an archaic word for preface

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induction Scientific  

/ ĭn-dŭk′shən /

1. 1. The process of deriving general principles from particular facts or instances.

   2. A conclusion reached by this process.

2. 1. The creation of a voltage difference across a conductive material (such as a coil of wire) by exposing it to a changing magnetic field. Induction is fundamental to hydroelectric power, in which water-powered turbines spin wire coils through strong magnetic fields. It is also the working principle underlying transformers and induction coils.

   2. The generation of an electric current in a conductor, such as a copper wire, by exposing it to the electric field of an electrically charged conductor.

   3. The building up of a net electric charge on a conductive material by separating its charge to create two oppositely charged regions, then bleeding off the charge from one region.

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induction ¹ Cultural  

1. A process of reasoning that moves from specific instances to predict general principles. (Compare deduction.)

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induction ² Cultural  

1. An effect in electrical systems in which electrical currents (see also current) store energy temporarily in magnetic fields before that energy is returned to the circuit.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preinduction
  noun
• reinduction
  noun
• anti-induction
  adjective
• inductional
  adjective
• inductionless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inductions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of induction

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English induccio(u)n, from Latin inductiōn-, stem of inductiō “admission, bringing in, introduction”; equivalent to induct + -ion

Explanation

After a baseball player's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, his name remains on the wall there for life. Induction is something that begins a process or a series of events. In college, you rush a fraternity, become a pledge, and then receive a pin at the induction ceremony. The word has a meaning in an electrical context as well. When two wires touch each other, they conduct electricity. When the current passes wirelessly between two conductors, it's called induction.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

induction inductions

Parton's 2022 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame marked a characteristically self-aware turn.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

"It really upends a theory that says that symbolic rule induction is not possible without linguistic capacities," says Kean.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

He made his third trip to Cooperstown this weekend, which marked his first visit for an induction weekend.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

“When I was 16 years old I was racing motorcycles and driving my great-grandparents’ old Plymouth Volare,” Kent said during his induction speech.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

In 1793 Jefferson accompanied Adams for his induction into the American Philosophical Society.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

This story has been corrected to show that the date of Hall of Fame inductions is Feb. 7, not January.

From Seattle Times ● May 21, 2024

With the inductions concluded, Dion performed his signature hit “The Wanderer,” while Love brought the house down with “River Deep Mountain High.”

From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2024

Some staff were allowed to start work before they had completed their full inductions meaning they were insufficiently trained to deal with the particular challenges of dealing with the care home's residents.

From BBC ● Jan. 4, 2024

Stone didn’t get the elaborate, celebrity-stocked welcome that sometimes accompanies these inductions.

From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2023

The experience of one man, though of incalculable value, is as naught to establish the truth or falsity of a principle; observations must be numerous and widespread, least the inductions therefrom lead to erroneous conclusions.

From Medical experts: Investigation of Insanity by Juries by W. S. Thorne

Related Words

• inauguration
• introduction