indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
a
: something that serves to indicate
b
: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
2
: the action of indicating
indicational adjective

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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of indication was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near indication

Cite this Entry

“Indication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indication. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

indication

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
: the action of indicating
2
: something that indicates : sign, suggestion

Medical Definition

indication

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
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 derivativesC. H. Thienes
b
: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
in case of collapse the immediate indication is artificial respirationJournal 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on indication

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