implication

noun

im·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌim-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce implication (audio)
1
: something implied: such as
a
: a possible significance
the book has political implications
2
a
: close connection
especially : an incriminating involvement
b
: the act of implicating : the state of being implicated
3
a
: the act of implying : the state of being implied
b(1)
: a logical relation between two propositions that fails to hold only if the first is true and the second is false see Truth Table
(2)
: a logical relationship between two propositions in which if the first is true the second is true
(3)
: a statement exhibiting a relation of implication
implicative
ˈim-plə-ˌkā-tiv How to pronounce implication (audio)
im-ˈpli-kə-
adjective
implicatively adverb
implicativeness noun

Examples of implication in a Sentence

… but whereas Updike and Roth work to establish connection and coherence in the face of time's chaos, DeLillo is an artist of diffusion and dispersal, of implication and missing information. A. O. Scott, New York Times Book Review, 21 May 2006
… the power of ideas to transform the world is itself accelerating. Although people readily agree with this observation when simply stated, very few people truly appreciate its profound implications. Ray Kurzweil, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
… the astronomer Edwin Hubble found that the universe is expanding, and by implication must have originated a finite time ago in an explosion popularly called the big bang. Paul Davies, The New Physics, 1989
I'm offended by his implication that women can't be good at mathematics. He condemned the court and, by implication, the entire legal system. He was shocked by the implication of his partner in the theft.
Recent Examples on the Web Memories are a modest feature, but the implications of outsourcing bits of our memories to Big Tech are considerable. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 On Wednesday, officials directed staff to research the design and financial implications of adding courts at either Sports Park or Veterans Park. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 But any ruling may have enormous implications for shareholder law. Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 But there are larger implications with come with the second option. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Editors’ Picks The findings have grave implications for the military, because Mr. Card never saw combat, and had never been exposed to explosions from enemy fire or roadside bombs. Dave Philipps, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Momentum is building in a case regarding homeless encampments that will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court next month and could have major implications for cities as homelessness nationwide has reached record highs. Claire Rush, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024 That policy debate and its potential implications for millions of Americans left an impression upon Pan, and the dean had seen it. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The conviction potentially holds heavy implications for her husband, James Crumbley, who is facing the same charges and scheduled for trial Tuesday. Celina Tebor, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'implication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English implicacioun "complication, complexity," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French implicacion "act of implying," borrowed from Medieval Latin implicātiōn-, implicātiō "entanglement, act of implying something, statement with implicit meaning," going back to Latin, "action of weaving in, intricacy," from implicāre "to fold about itself, entwine, involve" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at implicate

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near implication

Cite this Entry

“Implication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implication. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

implication

noun
im·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌim-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce implication (audio)
1
: the act of implicating : the state of being implicated
2
a
: the act of implying : the state of being implied
b
: something implied

Legal Definition

implication

noun
im·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌim-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce implication (audio)
1
: the act of implicating : the state of being implicated
2
: the act of implying : the state of being implied
3
: something implied
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