What does induce mean?
Induce is a formal verb meaning to bring about a result, often through an indirect or deliberate process. It is used for events such as changes, reactions, sleep, labor, or electrical currents, and it can also mean persuading someone to act in a particular way. The phrase “induce someone to do something” is especially common, while scientific and medical writing often uses “induce” to describe producing a measurable physical or physiological response. Compared with simpler words such as “cause,” “induce” can suggest a process, mechanism, or deliberate influence. It is a useful word in academic, clinical, technical, and formal prose, where precision about cause and effect matters.
verbTo bring about or cause something to happen. It can also mean to persuade someone to do something, or to cause a physical or electrical response in a person or material.
- To bring about or cause an event, situation, or result.
- To persuade or cause someone to do something.
- To cause or stimulate a physical, physiological, or electrical response.
"The doctor induced sleep after the patient had been given the appropriate medication."
"The advertisement induced a sharp rise in demand."
"Nothing could induce him to change his mind."
"The changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the coil."
From the Latin for “lead,” induce still carries its original idea: gently bringing someone or something toward a particular outcome.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does induce come from?
Induce comes from Latin inducere, formed from in- and ducere, “to lead.” In English it developed the sense of leading or persuading someone into a course of action before being extended to the broader meaning of causing or bringing about a result. Many English words sharing the Latin root, including reduce, deduce, seduce, and educate, reflect the idea of leading, drawing, or bringing something in a particular direction.
Related word forms
How induce is actually used
In general contexts, “induce” is formal and often suggests causing something deliberately or by indirect means. In medical and scientific contexts, it commonly refers to provoking a particular condition or response.
Easily confused with induce
To induce someone into a role or organization is to formally admit or install them, whereas to induce a reaction or result is to bring it about.