indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: something that serves to indicate

b

: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary

2

: the action of indicating

indicational

ˌin-də-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• clue
• cue
• hint
• inkling
• intimation
• lead
• suggestion

Examples of indication in a Sentence

Her evaluation will give me a good indication of where I stand in the class.

There were indications that he was thinking of changing jobs.

Recent Examples on the Web

If the politically charged and educationally dubious material at a recent major conference for educators is any indication, then the answer is no. —Daniel Buck, National Review, 22 Nov. 2023

This is an indication that a particular concoction is releasing more gas. —Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023

Missing was any indication of how the wisecracking AI bot fits into the broader Musk portfolio of Tesla autonomous driving technology, humanoid Optimus robots, and Neuralink human-machine brain interfaces, raising questions about the seriousness, and significance, of xAI. —David Meyer, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

The brand now encompasses skincare, makeup, and haircare, with — if history is any indication — even more innovation to come. —Deanna Pai, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023

But there's also an indication from one question that science has been pushing up against a core conservative belief: that societal change should occur at a cautious pace. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023

Hadi’s comments are the first clear indication from a Hamas official of the group’s expectations for their Lebanese partners’ role in the ongoing fighting. —NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023

The massacre was just one of the many indications that the PLO’s defeat was not the end of the war. —Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2023

Is there any indication that the camera is on or off? —WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing indication

• every indication

• every indication

Kids Definition

indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the action of indicating

2

: something that indicates : sign, suggestion

Medical Definition

indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: a symptom or particular circumstance that indicates the advisability or necessity of a specific medical treatment or procedure

postpartum hemorrhage is the chief indication for the use of ergot preparations and derivatives

—C. H. Thienes

b

: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary

in case of collapse the immediate indication is artificial respiration

—Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: the degree indicated in a specific instance or at a specific time on a graduated physical instrument (as a thermometer)