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

b

: the action of indenting

indentation of a line of text

: the condition of being indented

a paragraph set out by 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

Synonyms

• cavity
• concavity
• dent
• depression
• dint
• hole
• hollow
• indenture
• pit
• recess

Examples 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

The buttons are easy to operate thanks to their clicky feel and concave indentation, though backlighting would have been helpful for low-light situations. —PCMAG, 25 June 2024

There were also noticeable changes, such as a flattened part of the bone on the lower part of the right ankle and indentations on both kneecaps. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 June 2024

There’s even a little indentation ON YOUR PLATE that indicates where that decal should go. —Noel Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 21 June 2024

Once the patty is formed, use the back of a soup or teaspoon or your thumb to make an indentation, about 1/3-inch deep and 1-inch wide in the center of the patty. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids 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

3

: dent entry 2 sense 1