implication

noun im·pli·ca·tion \ ˌim-plə-ˈkā-shən \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: implication in a Sentence

Definition of implication

1 a : the act of implicating (see implicate) : the state of being implicated

b : close connection; especially : an incriminating involvement

2 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

3 : something implied: such as

a : suggestion

b : a possible significance

the book has political implications

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implicative

play \ˈim-plə-ˌkā-tiv, im-ˈpli-kə-\ adjective

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implicatively

adverb

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implicativeness

noun

See implication defined for English-language learners

See implication defined for kids

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 of implication from the Web

The implication was clear: The two sides disagreed on possible contract terms.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Magic Mailbag: What’s the deal with Orlando’s point guard situation?," 12 July 2018
The implication is that anybody tagged in this has to validate their viewpoint.

— brian flood, Fox News, "Candace Owens challenges ESPN star Jemele Hill to racism debate, says Dems use her to 'paralyze blacks with undue fear'," 10 July 2018
When it was announced that Spacey was booted from the show and production was suspended, the implication was that everyone down the line would also be affected.

— refinery29.com, "It Took A Woman President To Save American Jobs On House Of Cards," 7 July 2018
The implication was that the abolition of ICE, a demand that started with left-wing activists and writers, would be a killer wedge issue against moderate Democrats.

— david weigel, Washington Post, "Nobody knows how ‘abolish ICE’ plays politically," 29 June 2018
His voice trails off, but the implication is clear: For every young hopeful who breaks like Juice did, there are hundreds who get stuck.

— paul thompson, Billboard, "Juice WRLD Reflects on the Explosive Success of 'Lucid Dreams' and Continuing His Hot Streak," 28 June 2018
That implication is one that White House officials themselves have reportedly confirmed.

— NBC News, "Conway: 'Nobody likes' policy separating migrant kids at the border," 17 June 2018
Reporters from The Arizona Republic discuss the implications of the separation of immigrant families in Arizona and beyond.

— rafael carranza, azcentral, "Rights group claims family separations continue at border, despite Trump's executive order," 13 July 2018
Still, confirming the implications of the event beneath the Polar ice became a massive task of assembling observations and evidence.

— mark johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Blazing a trail: UW professor's dream leads to breakthrough in identifying origin of cosmic rays," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'implication.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of implication

see implicate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

IMPLICATION Defined for English Language Learners

implication

noun

Definition of implication for English Language Learners

: a possible future effect or result
: something that is suggested without being said directly : something that is implied
: the fact or state of being involved in or connected to something (such as a crime) : the fact or state of being implicated in something