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
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
Carole SugarmanExamples 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
At one grave site found just a few miles from Damascus, more than 20 indentations of sunken sand mark individual mass graves where Moustafa, the activist, says about 20,000 bodies are believed to be buried.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025
Use your finger to make an indentation in the top of the soil, and stick the end of the cutting into the hole.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
Smaller prints, some just an inch or two long, show tiny animals trotting or darting across the mud, while mid-sized carnivores left their three-toed marks complete with claw indentations.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025
It is gently sloped and features an indentation that serves as a natural rest point for my middle finger, with the shutter release positioned at an angle on top.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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Jane Arraf, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025
Use your finger to make an indentation in the top of the soil, and stick the end of the cutting into the hole.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
Smaller prints, some just an inch or two long, show tiny animals trotting or darting across the mud, while mid-sized carnivores left their three-toed marks complete with claw indentations.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025
It is gently sloped and features an indentation that serves as a natural rest point for my middle finger, with the shutter release positioned at an angle on top.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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