Plain English Meaning

Induction is how the engine breathes in. It is the part of the engine cycle where air is pulled in from outside before anything else happens to it.

Full Definition

The process by which an engine draws outside air into itself so that air can be mixed with fuel and burned to produce power. In a gas turbine engine, induction refers specifically to the intake stage where ambient air enters through the inlet and is delivered to the compressor.

Context Anchor

Seen when describing the basic operating cycle of a gas turbine engine: induction, compression, combustion, turbine, and exhaust.

Derivation

From Latin inducere, meaning 'to in.' The engine 'leads' air in from the outside before doing anything with it. That simple sense — leading air inward — is exactly what the word still means in .