indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
a
: something that serves to indicate
b
: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
2
: the action of indicating
indicational adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her crushing loss by Gauff in the semi-finals at Madrid was another indication that the Pole is still fighting herself in a trophyless 2025. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 Sara Netanyahu’s claim appears to be an indication that the government may have information that some of the 24 hostages have died. Jeremy Diamond and Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 Still, a bad jobs report could quickly change that, and there are underlying indications of weakness. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 May 2025 But while the Trump administration has deliberately undone or reversed many of Biden's EV policies, the Joint Office does not appear to have been singled out for dismantling: There were no executive orders against it, and no indication of office-specific layoffs. Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for indication

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of indication was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indication. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

indication

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
: the action of indicating
2
: something that indicates : sign, suggestion

Medical Definition

indication

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
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 derivativesC. H. Thienes
b
: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
in case of collapse the immediate indication is artificial respirationThe 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on indication

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!