inculcation

UK: /ˌɪnkʌlˈkeɪʃən/ US: /ˌɪnkʌlˈkeɪʃən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cul•cate /ɪnˈkʌlkeɪt, ˈɪnkʌlˌkeɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 

1. to fix in the mind by repeated statements:
   to inculcate virtue in the young.

in•cul•ca•tion /ˌɪnkʌlˈkeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cul•cate  (in kul′kāt, in′kul kāt′), v.t., -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 

1. to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly (usually fol. by upon or in):
   to inculcate virtue in the young.
2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually fol. by with):
   Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

• Latin inculcātus past participle of inculcāre to trample, impress, stuff in, equivalent. to in- in-² + culc- (variant, in noninitial position, of calc-, stem of calx heel) + -ātus -ate¹
• 1540–50

in′cul•ca′tion, n. 
in•cul•ca•tive  (in kul′kə tiv), in•cul′ca•to′ry, adj.  in•cul′ca•tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. instill, infix, ingrain.