induce

[ in-doos, -dyoos ]

verb (used with object)

, in·duced, in·duc·ing.

1. to lead or move by persuasion or influence, as to some action or state of mind:

   to induce a person to buy a raffle ticket.

   Synonyms: spur, urge, incite, prompt, actuate

   Antonyms: dissuade

2. to bring about, produce, or cause:

   That medicine will induce sleep.

3. Physics. to produce (an electric current) by induction.
4. Logic. to assert or establish (a proposition about a class of phenomena) on the basis of observations on a number of particular facts.
5. Genetics. to increase expression of (a gene) by inactivating a negative control system or activating a positive control system; derepress.
6. Biochemistry. to stimulate the synthesis of (a protein, especially an enzyme) by increasing gene transcription.

induce

/ ɪnˈdjuːs /

verb

1. often foll by an infinitive to persuade or use influence on
2. to cause or bring about
3. med to initiate or hasten (labour), as by administering a drug to stimulate uterine contractions
4. obsolete.
   logic to assert or establish (a general proposition, hypothesis, etc) by induction
5. to produce (an electromotive force or electrical current) by induction
6. to transmit (magnetism) by induction

Derived Forms

• inˈducible, adjective
• inˈducer, noun

Other Words From

• in·duc·i·ble adjective
• non·in·duc·i·ble adjective
• pre·in·duce verb (used with object) preinduced preinducing
• re·in·duce verb (used with object) reinduced reinducing
• un·in·duc·i·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of induce¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin indūcere “to lead or bring in, introduce,” equivalent to in- in- ² + dūcere “to lead”; adduce, deduce, reduce

Word History and Origins

Origin of induce¹

C14: from Latin indūcere to lead in, from dūcere to lead

Synonym Study

See persuade.

Example Sentences

To achieve these improvements, the research team focused on understanding the efficiency and stability losses induced by the hole transport layer which plays an important role in the solar cell performance.

From Science Daily

To test this, the researchers recorded brain activity in mice during behaviors that alter breathing, such as sniffing, swimming, and drinking, as well as during conditions that induce fear and anxiety.

From Science Daily

Greater cell density induces stress that leads to a quicker breakdown of not only synNotch in particular, but also cell surface sensors in general.

From Science Daily

MT data had an unexpected payoff: a deeper understanding of the risks of space weather events, which induce geoelectric currents that can fry electrical grid infrastructure.

From Science Magazine

Yet for the past three years she has been given a monthly injection to chemically induce menopause, pausing her periods in an effort to alleviate her symptoms.

From BBC

Related Words

• activate
• breed
• bring about
• cause
• coax
• convince
• engender
• generate
• lead to
• motivate
• persuade
• produce
• promote
• prompt
• urge