indentation

noun

in·​den·​ta·​tion ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the blank space produced by indenting : indention sense 1a

a half-inch indentation

b

: the action of indenting

indentation of a line of text

: the condition of being indented

a paragraph set out by indentation

2

a

: an angular cut (such as a notch) or something resembling such a cut in an edge

indentations along the edge of a leaf

b

: a usually deep recess (as along a coastline)

a coastline with many indentations

3

: dent

Test [the fish] by depressing the flesh with a finger; it should spring back to its original shape leaving no indentation.

—Carole Sugarman

Synonyms of indentation

• dent
• hole
• cavity
• pit
• furrow
• concavity

Examples of indentation in a Sentence

Our style guidelines call for indentation of the first line of each paragraph.

a coastline with many indentations

There were several small indentations in the surface of the table.

Recent Examples on the Web

Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Overnight, indentations in the tarmac had been filled with sand, to ease the passing of the royal carriages. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026

The philtrum is the vertical groove or indentation located in the middle of the area between the nose and the upper lip. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Just grab the knob on the line, stretch it to the opposite end, and secure it in place on the base end that has a hole with a small indentation to pop it in and out in a second. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for indentation

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

Kids Definition

indentation

noun

in·​den·​ta·​tion ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: an angular cut in an edge : notch

b

: a deep recess (as in a coastline)

2

a

: the action of indenting : the state of being indented

b

: a blank or empty space produced by indenting

3

: dent entry 2 sense 1