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 There’s no public indication of a federal inquiry into the Chevron merger. Matthew Daly, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2023 The hot labor market that underpinned a surprisingly strong economy this year is showing signs of cooling, an indication that growth could ease in 2024. Austen Hufford, WSJ, 5 Dec. 2023 This may not be the end of Spotify’s M&A Something that stopped me in Ek’s note was the indication that, after so many mergers that put so many people out of their jobs, the company is still not done with acquisitions. Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2023 While fentanyl use has skyrocketed in recent years, even among pregnant women, there is no indication that birth defects are rising. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2023 Nonetheless, the caucus results are the first definitive indication of where voters actually stand, after months and months of polling. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2023 The Times reviewed a number of cases at the Palmdale and Lancaster shelters that showed no indication that rescue requests were made. Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023 Relationships are based on trust, and disintegrating communication patterns are an indication that trust has eroded. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 There are indications that young adults are increasingly concerned about the reliability of Social Security. Martha C. White, New York Times, 24 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 10 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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