indent

1 of 4

verb (1)

in·​dent in-ˈdent 

indented; indenting; indents

transitive verb

1

: to set (something, such as a line of a paragraph) in from the margin

2

: to notch the edge of : make jagged

3

chiefly British : to order by an indent

4

: indenture

5

a

: to divide (a document) so as to produce sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication

b

: to draw up (something, such as a deed) in two or more exactly corresponding copies

intransitive verb

1

: to form an indentation

2

chiefly British : to make out an indent for something

3

obsolete : to make a formal or express agreement

indenter noun

indent

2 of 4

noun (1)

in·​dent in-ˈdent  ˈin-ˌdent 

1

: the blank space produced by indenting : indention

Begin each paragraph with an indent.

a half-inch indent

2

a

: indenture sense 1

b

: a certificate issued by the U.S. at the close of the American Revolution for the principal or interest on the public debt

3

chiefly British

a

: an official requisition

b

: a purchase order for goods especially when sent from a foreign country

indent

3 of 4

verb (2)

in·​dent in-ˈdent 

indented; indenting; indents

transitive verb

1

: to force inward so as to form a depression

2

: to form a dent in

indent

4 of 4

noun (2)

in·​dent in-ˈdent  ˈin-ˌdent 

: indentation

Phrases

indent on

1

chiefly British : to make a requisition on

2

chiefly British : to draw on

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• indentation
• chip
• slit
• groove

Examples of indent in a Sentence

Noun (2)

with the heel of his boot he made a sizable indent in the dirt as a temporary marker

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The autopsy report said Austin Turner's skull was indented and there was internal bleeding around his brain. —Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 6 June 2024

The handle has microdots indented at the major pressure points, providing extra grip, as well as giving the perfect balance and weight to make holiday food prep a breeze. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Noun

Underneath, the wavy indents in the sole actually worked, morphing over uneven surfaces and keeping the ride smooth and supportive on nearly every terrain. —The Editors, Outside Online, 26 June 2025

The core materials were then mixed with oats and water and pressed into molds with bubble-like indents and rough line patterns. —New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French endenter, from en- + dent tooth, from Latin dent-, dens — more at tooth

Verb (2)

Middle English endenten, from en- + denten to dent

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5a

Noun (1)

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

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indent

• indent on

Rhymes for indent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

indent

1 of 2 verb

in·​dent in-ˈdent 

1

: to notch the edge of : make jagged

indented leaves

2

: to set in from the margin

indent the first line of a paragraph

indent

2 of 2 verb

: to form a dent in

indenter noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English indenten "indent," from early French endenter (same meaning), from earlier en- "to provide with" and dent "tooth," from Latin dent-, dens "tooth" — related to dental