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
• cue
• hint
• inkling
• intimation
• lead
• suggestion

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

If April’s output is any indication, clearing 49,000 outstanding PSLF requests could take well over two and a half years. —Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

This week, keep an eye out on earnings from Home Depot, Target and TJX for an indication of how the American consumer has been holding up — and how those big retailers will deal with tariffs. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 19 May 2025

But if this upending of the portable-display status quo is any indication, the days of these monitors being defined by panels that simply mimic a companion laptop screen are over. —John Burek, PC Magazine, 18 May 2025

If Saturday was any indication, a lot more joy is set to wash over Fever fans, who have waited a decade for the franchise to finish with a winning record. —Ben Pickman, New York Times, 18 May 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)