Deduction
noun /dɪˈdʌkʃən/ — Reasoning from general to specific — the logic that moves from principle to conclusion.
Definition
The inference of particular instances by reference to a general law or principle; the process of deducing a specific conclusion from general premises; subtraction of an amount.
Beyond the definition
Deduction is the detective's method — from the general principle (all humans are mortal) to the specific case (Socrates is mortal). It is the most rigorous form of reasoning because valid deduction guarantees its conclusion if its premises are true.
Origin & history
From Latin deductio — a leading away (from deducere: to lead down, from de: down + ducere: to lead). Leading down from — deduction as the movement from general to specific.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His deduction was correct: from the general principle and the specific facts, the conclusion followed necessarily.
Deduction in detection: the general knowledge of human behavior applied to the particular case.
The deduction moved cleanly — premises true, logic valid, conclusion unavoidable.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Deduction” when the meaning fits your context: The inference of particular instances by reference to a general law or principle; the process of deducing a specific conclusion from general premises; subtraction of an amount.
Synonyms
Antonyms
induction, assumption, guess
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Orderly and Logical Investigation
An adult works at a table, meticulously arranging interlocking wooden pieces into a clear, ordered structure under bright light.
The careful assembly of the model based on a clear, systematic plan represents deduction. By applying a general understanding of how the interlocking parts should connect, the adult derives a specific structure, demonstrating the process of reaching a conclusion from organized premises.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Deduction" mean?
Deduction is noun meaning: Reasoning from general to specific — the logic that moves from principle to conclusion.. The inference of particular instances by reference to a general law or principle; the process of deducing a specific conclusion from general premises; subtraction of an amount.
Where does the word "Deduction" come from?
From Latin deductio — a leading away (from deducere: to lead down, from de: down + ducere: to lead). Leading down from — deduction as the movement from general to specific.