suggestion

noun

sug·​ges·​tion səg-ˈjes-chən 

sə-ˈjes-, 

-ˈjesh-

1

a

: the act or process of suggesting

b

: something suggested

2

a

: the process by which a physical or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea

the power of suggestion

b

: the process by which one thought leads to another especially through association of ideas

3

: a slight indication : trace

a suggestion of a smile

Synonyms of suggestion

• indication
• clue
• cue
• hint
• idea

Examples of suggestion in a Sentence

Do you have any suggestions?

Please send comments and suggestions to our post office box.

I have a suggestion: call the store and ask them about it.

I'd like to offer a suggestion.

I reject his suggestion that we shouldn't have helped them.

trying to influence people's thoughts by using suggestion

The director relies on the power of suggestion rather than explicitly showing the murder.

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking to local media, Soto said no one was injured and dismissed suggestions that the incident was linked to an external attack. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025

Much as Google’s search algorithm improved itself by learning which websites users actually clicked on, AI systems that capture feedback loops — like coding copilots do now when users accept or reject suggestions — will improve far faster than static models. —Sridhar Ramaswamy, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025

Druksi is currently working on a series of commercials with Zoe Saldaña, who, from his suggestion, is reconsidering her mood board strategy. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025

The Institute also noted this in their analysis, stating that Hargett’s suggestion that funding may be impacted by noncompliance is unenforceable, as the funding is statutorily required to be sent by Congress every year under the Museum and Library Services Act. —Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing suggestion

• at/on someone's suggestion
• auto-suggestion
• counter-suggestion
• self-suggestion

Rhymes for suggestion

• congestion
• digestion
• ingestion
• gestion
• question
• indigestion

Kids Definition

suggestion

noun

sug·​ges·​tion sə(g)-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

1

a

: the act or process of suggesting

b

: something (as a thought or plan) that is suggested

2

a

: the process by which a physical or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea

the power of suggestion

b

: the process by which one thought leads to another especially through association of ideas

c

: a way of influencing attitudes and behavior hypnotically

3

: a slight indication

a suggestion of a smile

Medical Definition

suggestion

noun

sug·​ges·​tion sə(g)-ˈjes-chən, -ˈjesh- 

1

a

: the act or process of impressing something (as an idea, attitude, or desired action) upon the mind of another

suggestion in response to propaganda

—Psychological Abstracts

b

: the process by which a physical or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea

the power of suggestion

2

: something impressed upon the mind by suggestion

the posthypnotic carrying out of suggestions held in the unconscious

—G. S. Blum

Legal Definition

suggestion

noun

sug·​ges·​tion

1

a

: the act or process of suggesting

b

: something suggested

2

: an entry on the record of a fact or circumstance (as the death or insolvency of a party) material to a case and essential for the court in making its determination

reference to a party's death in a pleading was not the equivalent of a formal suggestion of death on the record

—Kissic v. Liberty Nat'l Life Ins. Co., 641 So. 2d 250 (1994)