induce
ihn-DYOOS
Induce (verb) means to persuade or influence someone to do something. Example: “The discount induced many customers to buy in bulk.”
verb
1
To persuade or influence someone to do something.
"The discount induced many customers to buy in bulk."
2
To cause or bring about a particular state or effect.
"The medication can induce drowsiness."
"Stress can induce headaches in some people."
3
To bring on labor artificially in a pregnant woman, usually with medication.
"The doctors decided to induce labor two weeks early."
4
To generate an electric current or magnetic effect through a nearby changing field.
"The moving magnet induces a current in the coil."
How to use induce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cause something to happen — through persuasion, chemistry, or physics, depending on context.
Common pairings
induce labor
induce sleep
induce a current
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- induces
- Past tense
- induced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The discount _____ many customers to buy in bulk.
Etymology
From Middle English enducen, borrowed from Latin inducere ("lead in, bring in"), from in- plus ducere ("to lead").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for induce
See all rhymes for induce →Frequently asked questions
What does “induce” mean?
The word “induce” means to persuade or influence someone to do something. In plain terms, to cause something to happen — through persuasion, chemistry, or physics, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “induce”?
“Induce” is pronounced ihn-DYOOS (/ɪnˈduːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “induce” in a sentence?
Here is “induce” used in a sentence: “The discount induced many customers to buy in bulk.”
What part of speech is “induce”?
“Induce” is a verb.
Where does the word “induce” come from?
The word “induce” comes from Latin. From Middle English enducen, borrowed from Latin inducere ("lead in, bring in"), from in- plus ducere ("to lead").
Is “induce” a common word?
“Induce” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “induce” have?
“Induce” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to persuade or influence someone to do something.
What is the difference between "induce" and "persuade"?
Both can mean to influence someone to do something, but "induce" often suggests using incentives, pressure, or circumstances to bring about an action, while "persuade" emphasizes convincing someone through argument or reasoning. "Induce" is also used more broadly to mean causing a state or effect, not just persuading a person.
What does it mean when a doctor talks about inducing labor?
To "induce" labor means to bring on labor artificially in a pregnant woman, usually with medication, rather than waiting for it to start naturally. This is one specific medical sense of the more general verb "induce."
How is "induce" used in physics or electronics?
In physics, "induce" describes generating an electric current or magnetic effect through a nearby changing field, as in "a moving magnet can induce a current in a coil." This technical sense is distinct from the everyday meanings of persuading or causing.
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