WordValededuction
reasoning from general to specific
In more detail
1. (noun) the process of reaching a conclusion by using logic and facts you already know
2. (noun) an amount of money that is subtracted from a total
Examples
- 1. By deduction, if all birds have feathers and a penguin is a bird, then a penguin must have feathers.
- 2. The deduction from my salary for taxes was $300 this month.
How to use deduction
Deduction has two main uses: in logic and reasoning, it means inferring a specific conclusion from general principles (the opposite of induction); in finance and accounting, it means a reduction or amount subtracted from a total. The logical sense is more formal and philosophical, while the financial sense is common in everyday contexts like taxes and payroll.
Common phrases
- logical deduction
- tax deduction
- reach a deduction
- make a deduction
- deduction from salary
- valid deduction
Synonyms
inference · conclusion · reasoning · logic · subtraction
Opposites
induction · addition
Word family
deduce (verb) · deductive (adjective) · deductible (adjective) · deductively (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners often confuse deduction (reasoning from general to specific) with induction (reasoning from specific to general), or use deduction when they mean simply a subtraction or reduction without the logical reasoning component.
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