indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: something that serves to indicate

an indication of a recovering economy

gave no indication of her anger

Asthma and COPD are indications for bronchodilator use.

b

: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary

a drug approved for several cardiovascular indications

2

: the action of indicating

indicational

ˌin-də-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of indication

• clue
• hint
• suggestion
• cue
• idea

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

Even though Sky and Ripley at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, WWE fans should think of that as a stepping stone to something bigger rather than an indication that the push of the tag team division is here to stay. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

Carrington Pierce was the first transfer that USC gained and signed with the Trojans on the first day the portal was open — an indication that the coaching staff had its eyes on him for some time. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026

Police said the driver stopped at the scene and that investigators found no evidence of impairment; there is no indication that the driver was arrested or cited. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Seeing live bugs is the clearest indication of an infestation, says Benson. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing indication

• every indication

Rhymes for indication

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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

—The 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)