implication

American  

[im-pli-key-shuhn] / ˌɪm plɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. something implied or suggested as naturally to be inferred or understood.

   to resent an implication of dishonesty.

2. the act of implying.

   His implication of immediate changes surprised us.

3. the state of being implied.

   to know only by implication.

4. Logic. the relation that holds between two propositions, or classes of propositions, in virtue of which one is logically deducible from the other.

5. the act of implicating or indicating that one or more persons may be involved, as in a crime.

   The implication of his accomplices came only after hours of grueling questioning by the police.

6. the state of being implicated.

   We recently heard of his implication in a conspiracy.

7. Usually implications. relationships of a close or intimate nature; involvements.

   the religious implications of ancient astrology.

   Synonyms:

   connection

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implication British  

/ ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of implicating or the state of being implicated

2. something that is implied; suggestion

   the implication of your silence is that you're bored

3. logic

   1. the operator that forms a sentence from two given sentences and corresponds to the English if … then …

   2. a sentence so formed. Usually written p→q or p⊃q, where p,q are the component sentences, it is true except when p (the antecedent) is true and q (the consequent) is false

   3. the relation between such sentences

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Other Word Forms

• implicational
  adjective
• nonimplication
  noun

Etymology

Origin of implication

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English implicacio(u)n, from Latin implicātiōn-, stem of implicātiō “an interweaving,” equivalent to implicāt(us) “interwoven” ( see implicate) + -ion

Explanation

An implication is something that is suggested, or happens, indirectly. When you left the gate open and the dog escaped, you were guilty by implication. Implication has many different senses. Usually, when used in the plural, implications are effects or consequences that may happen in the future. You might ask, "What are the implications of our decision?" Implication is also the state of being implicated, or connected to something bad: "Are you surprised by their implication that you were involved in the crime?"

Example Sentences

That’s the implication of a seminal study, entitled “Bubbles for Fama,” which challenges University of Chicago professor Eugene Fama’s famous claim that bubbles cannot be identified in advance.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

The implication from the MP was this was evidence of desperation.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Many were not happy about the bonus program, especially the implication that it comes in lieu of giving raises to workers.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

The implication is clear: Central banks are preparing the public for a world in which inflation persistently overshoots 2%.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

You have heard it, and it—this true story of rich implication, this living parable of proven glory and humble nobility—and it, as I say, has made you free.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Related Words

• conclusion
• connotation
• indication
• meaning
• overtone
• ramification
• significance