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
Like the experimental teeth, the ones from Neanderthal archaeological sites had the same overlapping small fractures, shallow indentations, and shallow scratches.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Roth, who also shares her daughter, Hazel, 6, with husband Brett Roth, explained that her daughter fell off the couch and hit her head on the coffee table, causing an indentation where her eyebrow is supposed to be.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Subsequent scans would reveal a one-inch indentation to her left temple and brain swelling.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Overnight, indentations in the tarmac had been filled with sand, to ease the passing of the royal carriages.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Roth, who also shares her daughter, Hazel, 6, with husband Brett Roth, explained that her daughter fell off the couch and hit her head on the coffee table, causing an indentation where her eyebrow is supposed to be.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Subsequent scans would reveal a one-inch indentation to her left temple and brain swelling.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Overnight, indentations in the tarmac had been filled with sand, to ease the passing of the royal carriages.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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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