Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

indent

verb (1)
Save Word
in·​dent | \ in-ˈdent How to pronounce indent (audio) \
indented; indenting; indents

Definition of indent

 (Entry 1 of 4)

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
5a : 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
indent on
1 chiefly British : to make a requisition on
2 chiefly British : to draw on

indent

noun (1)
in·​dent | \ in-ˈdent How to pronounce indent (audio) , ˈin-ˌdent How to pronounce indent (audio) \

Definition of indent (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : the blank space produced by indenting : indention Begin each paragraph with an indent. a half-inch indent
2a : 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

verb (2)
in·​dent | \ in-ˈdent How to pronounce indent (audio) \
indented; indenting; indents

Definition of indent (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to force inward so as to form a depression
2 : to form a dent in

indent

noun (2)
in·​dent | \ in-ˈdent How to pronounce indent (audio) , ˈin-ˌdent How to pronounce indent (audio) \

Definition of indent (Entry 4 of 4)

: indentation
Other Words from indent Synonyms Learn More about indent

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from indent

Verb (1)

indenter noun

Synonyms for indent

Synonyms: Noun (2)

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

First Known Use of indent

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

History and Etymology for indent

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about indent

Time Traveler for indent

Time Traveler

The first known use of indent was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for indent

Last Updated

27 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Indent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indent. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for indent

indent

verb
in·​dent | \ in-ˈdent How to pronounce indent (audio) \
indented; indenting

Kids Definition of indent

: to set in from the margin Indent the first line of your paragraph.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on indent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for indent

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with indent

Spanish Central: Translation of indent

Nglish: Translation of indent for Spanish Speakers

Comments on indent

What made you want to look up indent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

probity

Listen to the pronounciation of probity

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

  • cats on impossible timber
  • The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games