indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: something that serves to indicate

an indication of a recovering economy

gave no indication of her anger

Asthma and COPD are indications for bronchodilator use.

b

: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary

a drug approved for several cardiovascular indications

2

: the action of indicating

indicational

ˌin-də-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of indication

• clue
• hint
• suggestion
• cue
• idea

Examples of indication in a Sentence

Her evaluation will give me a good indication of where I stand in the class.

There were indications that he was thinking of changing jobs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Health care stocks, meanwhile, were some of the strongest forces pushing upward on the market after a committee of the European Medicines Agency recommended several medicines for approval and the extension for another dozen of their therapeutic indications. — Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Lands’ statement gives no indication of how NPS officials concluded the liner was cut using a knife of some kind. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Jaylen Brown, from all indications, isn’t bound for Charlotte. — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

Customers still spending So far, Bonfig said, Best Buy isn’t seeing any indication that consumers are pulling forward purchases or even that the rising memory costs are affecting their budgets. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing indication

• every indication

Rhymes for indication

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the action of indicating

2

: something that indicates : sign, suggestion

Medical Definition

indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: a symptom or particular circumstance that indicates the advisability or necessity of a specific medical treatment or procedure

postpartum hemorrhage is the chief indication for the use of ergot preparations and derivatives

—C. H. Thienes

b

: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary

in case of collapse the immediate indication is artificial respiration

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: the degree indicated in a specific instance or at a specific time on a graduated physical instrument (as a thermometer)