Definition of: induction

(in·duk′shən) noun
1. The process of causing an event or bringing about a conclusion by some particular path or course of reasoning.
2. Logic The process of inferring or aiming at the general from observation of the particular; specifically, the inference of a specific law of causational connection from the observation and analysis of some particular instance or instances.
3. Any conclusion reached by inductive reasoning.
4. In English ecclesiastical law, the formal installation of a person into an office or church living.
5. An introduction; especially, a preamble, prolog, or prelude foreshadowing the argument or character of a literary work.
6. The bringing forward of separate facts as evidence in order to prove a general statement.
7. Electr. The production of magnetization or electrification in a body by the mere proximity of a magnetic field or electric charge, or of an electric current in a conductor by the variation of the magnetic field in its vicinity.
8. Physiol. The stimulating effect of one tissue upon the growth or alteration of another.
9. The act or process of inducting, as for military service; initiation; installation.
10. Obs. A beginning or introduction to anything; that which leads to or induces a thing.
—magnetic induction The magnetization of iron, steel, etc., by its introduction into a magnetic field. [<OF <L inductio, -onis]
—in·duc′tion·al adjective Synonyms: deduction, inference. Deduction is reasoning from the general to the particular; induction is reasoning from the particular to the general. In deduction, if the general rule is true, and the special case falls under the rule, the conclusion is certain; induction can ordinarily give no more than a probable conclusion, because we can never be sure that we have collated all instances. An induction is of the nature of an inference, but while an inference may be partial and hasty, an induction is careful, and aims to be complete. Compare DEMONSTRATION, INFERENCE.