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

• clue
• cue
• hint
• indication
• inkling
• intimation
• lead

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

But If your skin is more on the sensitive side of the spectrum, my suggestion is to only use gentler acids like lactic, mandelic or salicylic once a week to keep the skin smooth and bright. —Samantha Mims, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024

County officials said these ordinance changes were the result of staff recommendations and Board of Supervisors suggestions at an Oct. 24 presentation from a countywide fireworks task force, which now includes the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024

To check out these suggestions and more, keep scrolling. —Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024

Want to send thoughts or suggestions to Data Sheet? —Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

Spending suggestions so far have included: $40,000 for funding for the Encinitas Visitors’ center. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

The toggle switch that has attracted a few headlines is Discoverable by Others, which is on by default and separate from journal suggestions. —David Nield, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024

The band trended on X on Wednesday, as users chimed in with suggestions for other Fleetwood Mac songs to listen to. —Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024

Show enthusiasm, make suggestions and change the dynamics of your life. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing suggestion

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

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)