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indicate

verb

in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce indicate (audio)
indicated; indicating

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: show sense 5
The map indicates where the treasure is buried.
(2)
: to point out or point to
I asked for the exit and he indicated a path down the hall.
b
: to be a sign, symptom, symbol, or index of
The high fever indicates a serious condition.
A new paragraph indicates a change of subject.
c
: to demonstrate or suggest the necessity or advisability of
indicated the need for a new school
the indicated treatment
Further testing is indicated.
2
: to state or express briefly
indicated a desire to cooperate

Examples of indicate in a Sentence

Our records indicate a depth of 3,000 feet here. The map indicates where the treasure is buried. There is nothing to indicate that the two events are connected. The size of his offer indicates that he is eager to buy the house. The general used a long ruler to indicate on the map exactly where the troops would land. We asked how to get to the rear entrance, and he indicated a path leading around the right side of the building.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Aztecs opened as a 2 1/2-point favorite against New Mexico, indicating expectations are for a solid showing in Albuquerque. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025 But government officials viewed the Ghost Dance as a threat to US Indian policy and believed these ceremonies indicated an uprising; national press coverage brought it more attention, and in mid-November, President Benjamin Harrison ordered troops to the region. Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025 Even then, reports indicated Wintour was on board. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 Nov. 2025 What Gemini 3 does indicate is that there are other ways to go about developing a leading LLM that can be run more cheaply than those based on Nvidia hardware. Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indicate

Word History

Etymology

Latin indicatus, past participle of indicare, from in- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate — more at diction

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indicate was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

indicate

verb
in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce indicate (audio)
indicated; indicating
1
a
: to point out or point to
b
: to be a sign of
flowers indicating the arrival of spring
2
: to state or express briefly : suggest

Medical Definition

indicate

transitive verb
in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce indicate (audio)
indicated; indicating
1
: to be a fairly certain symptom of : show the presence or existence of
the high fever indicates a serious condition
2
: to call for especially as treatment for a particular condition
radical surgery is often indicated in advanced cancer

More from Merriam-Webster on indicate

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