indication

American  

[in-di-key-shuhn] / ˌɪn dɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

• indications
  plural

1. anything serving to indicate or point out, as a sign or token.

   Synonyms:

   portent, intimation, hint

2. Medicine/Medical. a special symptom or the like that points out a suitable remedy or treatment or shows the presence of a disease.

3. an act of indicating.

4. the degree marked by an instrument.

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indication British  

/ ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. something that serves to indicate or suggest; sign

   an indication of foul play

2. the degree or quantity represented on a measuring instrument or device

3. the action of indicating

4. something that is indicated as advisable, necessary, or expedient

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reindication
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• indications
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

indication indications

Nor did the administration offer any indication of how the tariffs were calculated and when, if ever, they would be removed.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Trevelyan-Ashby says she spends an "abnormal amount of time looking for poo", but says it is the best way of getting an indication of how the rodent's population is doing.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Britain’s BP and the United Arab Emirates’ XRG will explore a gas field off the shore of Venezuela, in an indication that oil majors are tentatively returning to the country under its new regime.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

There’s little indication that purchase-price pressures will relent soon.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

Some indication of just what Oxford was missing out on can be seen if we pick just one piece of work from the many that Halley undertook about this time.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Those doctors would get requests for meetings from several Novo representatives about different indications rather than having one point of contact.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

“I’m not seeing many indications that we’re there.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

Following one of the driest and hottest stretches of weather in the UK's history, the indications are that August is likely to bring more of the same.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

Early indications are that “unsafe speed by the motorcyclists was likely a contributing factor,” authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

A tremor shaking the ground and ripples wrinkling the surface of the ponds were the only indications that some great force was passing through.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• explanation
• expression
• gesture
• hint
• implication
• inkling
• manifestation
• omen
• proof
• reminder
• sign
• signal
• suggestion
• symptom
• trace
• warning