Definition of implication
1a : the act of implicating (see implicate) : the state of being implicatedb : close connection; especially : an incriminating involvement
2a : the act of implying : the state of being impliedb (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 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 asa : suggestionb : a possible significance the book has political implications
implicatively
adverbimplicativeness
nounRead the Latest from M-W
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
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This shift in how one becomes a baseball executive has had dramatic implications for who can become a baseball executive.
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The attacks came a few days before a snap election that has major implications for the country’s future outside the European Union.
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What Roberts is saying has enormous implications for the economy, which depends not only on consumers buying things from companies, but also on companies buying from consumers, and individual consumers trading with each other.
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Sharp also was quoted raising concerns about the broader implications of the potential racial aspects to the hit-and-run.
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What happens in the aftermath of this decision could have vast implications for the world our descendants inherit.
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Ohio says the issue has broader implications, pointing to a brief filed in support of the appeal by 15 other states.
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President Donald Trump has taken the first step toward renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, a journey with implications for hundreds of industries throughout the continent.
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That is a conclusion of a report issued on Thursday by two environmental groups on the implications of the long-running campaign to shut down Indian Point.
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
First Known Use: 15th century
IMPLICATION Defined for English Language Learners
implication
playDefinition of implication for English Language Learners
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: a possible future effect or result
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: something that is suggested without being said directly : something that is implied
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: 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
IMPLICATION Defined for Kids
implication
playDefinition of implication for Students
1 : the fact or state of being involved in or connected to something
2 : a possible future effect or result Consider the implications of your actions.
3 : something that is suggested Your implication is unfair.
Law Dictionary
implication
playLegal Definition of implication
1 : the act of implicating : the state of being implicated
2 : the act of implying : the state of being implied
3 : something implied
Learn More about implication
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See words that rhyme with implication Spanish Central: Translation of implication Nglish: Translation of implication for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of implication for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about implication
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