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
• 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

Nevertheless, Walmart’s public plans offer a major early indication that—after a decade of drone development—some of America’s largest companies do finally see a clear business case and path to scale because of the evolving regulatory environment. —Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025

And if the lyrics are any indication, the musician already heard wedding bells in the pair’s future. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

New data showed manufacturing contracted this month, but less than expected, a hopeful indication that authorities may be coming to grips with industrial overcapacity. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025

Rapid Change Four days spent criss-crossing the Yangtze River Delta by high-speed railway to visit Chinese businesses gave an indication of the pace of change in the region that is one of the hubs of Chinese technology development. —Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

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)