indentation
noun
in·den·ta·tion
ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən 
1
a
: the blank space produced by indenting : indention sense 1a
a half-inch indentation
2
a
: an angular cut (such as a notch) or something resembling such a cut in an edge
indentations along the edge of a leaf
b
: a usually deep recess (as along a coastline)
a coastline with many indentations
3
: dent
Test [the fish] by depressing the flesh with a finger; it should spring back to its original shape leaving no indentation.—
Carole Sugarman
Carole SugarmanExamples of indentation in a Sentence
Our style guidelines call for indentation of the first line of each paragraph.
a coastline with many indentations
There were several small indentations in the surface of the table.
Recent Examples on the Web
That lake, according to legend, was created after a local sorcerer and a witch had a feud that resulted in the latter falling to her death and causing a huge indentation in the earth that became filled with water.
—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Near the skin’s surface, the flat variety, called a Merkel cell complex, responds to gentle indentation.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Thumb stones are about half an inch wider than the average thumb and have an indentation.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
One of the downsides of wearing a silk bonnet or satin bonnet is that sometimes indentations or red lines can appear on the forehead where the elastic band or tie was during the night.
—Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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John Mariani, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Near the skin’s surface, the flat variety, called a Merkel cell complex, responds to gentle indentation.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Thumb stones are about half an inch wider than the average thumb and have an indentation.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
One of the downsides of wearing a silk bonnet or satin bonnet is that sometimes indentations or red lines can appear on the forehead where the elastic band or tie was during the night.
—Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indentation
noun
in·den·ta·tion
ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən
1
a
: an angular cut in an edge : notch
b
: a deep recess (as in a coastline)
2
a
: the action of indenting : the state of being indented
b
: a blank or empty space produced by indenting
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