deduction

plural deductions

1. countableuncountableThat which is deducted; that which is subtracted or removed.

   Near-synonyms: extract, reduction; see also Thesaurus:decrement

   Synonyms: extract, reduction, cut, decrement, dip, drop, extract, extraction

   1. countableuncountableA sum that can be removed in tax calculations, usually from the taxable amount; something that is written off.

      standard deduction

      1 more example

      You might want to donate the old junk and just take the deduction.

      Synonyms: extract, reduction, cut, decrement, dip, drop, extract, extraction

   2. countableuncountablebusinessA sum withheld from an employee's pay for the purpose of paying tax.

      Synonyms: extract, reduction, cut, decrement, dip, drop, extract, extraction

2. A process of reasoning that moves from the general to the specific, in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the premises presented, so that the conclusion cannot be false if the premises are true.
   1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesA conclusion; that which is deduced, concluded or figured out.

      He arrived at the deduction that the butler didn't do it.

      1 more example

      An unkinder deduction, considering only the Select Committee's report and discounting rumours of wayward conclusions by the Stedeford Group, would be that if one inquisition doesn't produce the desired answers, the Minister's policy is "try, try again"—or should one say "fight, fight, fight again".

      1961 January, “Talking of Trains: Marples out of step”, in Trains Illustrated, page 1

      Synonyms: ergotism, illation, verdict, award, censure, choice, opinion, conclusion · Antonyms: induction

   2. countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe ability or skill to deduce or figure out; the power of reason

      Through his powers of deduction, he realized that the plan would never work.

      Antonyms: induction