implication
Americannoun
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something implied or suggested as naturally to be inferred or understood.
to resent an implication of dishonesty.
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the act of implying.
His implication of immediate changes surprised us.
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the state of being implied.
to know only by implication.
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Logic. the relation that holds between two propositions, or classes of propositions, in virtue of which one is logically deducible from the other.
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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.
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the state of being implicated.
We recently heard of his implication in a conspiracy.
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Usually implications. relationships of a close or intimate nature; involvements.
the religious implications of ancient astrology.
- Synonyms:
- connection
noun
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the act of implicating or the state of being implicated
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something that is implied; suggestion
the implication of your silence is that you're bored
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logic
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the operator that forms a sentence from two given sentences and corresponds to the English if … then …
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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
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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” ( implicate ) + -ion
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.
“However, any implication that Administration officials are engaged in such activity without evidence is baseless and irresponsible reporting.”
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
The implication was they felt pressure - direct or otherwise - to do so.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
The investment implication is that we need to look elsewhere than the U.S.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026
Yet another possible implication of this new study has to do with other players in the investment arena besides mutual fund managers.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
Sir Lawrence flatly denied prior knowledge of Francis’ efforts and was thoroughly insulted by the implication that he had underhandedly used another scientist’s ideas.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
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.
