indication
Americannoun
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anything serving to indicate or point out, as a sign or token.
- Synonyms:
- portent, intimation, hint
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Medicine/Medical. a special symptom or the like that points out a suitable remedy or treatment or shows the presence of a disease.
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an act of indicating.
-
the degree marked by an instrument.
noun
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something that serves to indicate or suggest; sign
an indication of foul play
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the degree or quantity represented on a measuring instrument or device
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the action of indicating
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something that is indicated as advisable, necessary, or expedient
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of indication
First recorded in 1535–45, indication is from the Latin word indicātiōn- (stem of indicātiō ). See indicate, -ion
Explanation
An indication is a sign––it indicates, or suggests, some conclusion. The way you blush furiously when a certain someone talks to you is an indication that you have a crush on them. An indication is like a clue, or a suggestion, but it's not proof. If someone is weaving all over the place when they walk, that could be an indication that they’re drunk. But then again, it could indicate an inner-ear infection that has ruined their balance. The verb, indicate, literally means to point out, by using your index finger. But indications don’t require actual fingers pointing to a cause.
Vocabulary lists containing indication
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That said, I found no public indication that Pulte has direct, personal ties to The Fellowship.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
And that is when Tuchel can deliver the clearest indication of the route he will take to try to win the World Cup.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
“There is some indication of an uptick in headquarters leaving California, but it is really small in comparison to other firm trends,” said Sarah E. Bohn, vice president of the Public Policy Institute of California.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
But if the last few weeks are any indication, that hope may have been misplaced.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
By Friday, June 19, there was still no indication that the fingerprints had been received and that the interview date had come through.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
