implication
Americannoun
-
implications
plural
-
something implied or suggested as naturally to be inferred or understood.
to resent an implication of dishonesty.
-
the act of implying.
His implication of immediate changes surprised us.
-
the state of being implied.
to know only by implication.
-
Logic. the relation that holds between two propositions, or classes of propositions, in virtue of which one is logically deducible from the other.
-
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.
-
the state of being implicated.
We recently heard of his implication in a conspiracy.
-
Usually implications. relationships of a close or intimate nature; involvements.
the religious implications of ancient astrology.
- Synonyms:
- connection
noun
-
the act of implicating or the state of being implicated
-
something that is implied; suggestion
the implication of your silence is that you're bored
-
logic
-
the operator that forms a sentence from two given sentences and corresponds to the English if … then …
-
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
-
the relation between such sentences
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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?"
Vocabulary lists containing implication
Grade 9, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The AP English Exam: Rhetorical and Literary Terms 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Raisin in the Sun
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The implication is always the same: If only young people behaved differently, the industry would be fine.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
According to the researchers, the broader implication of their findings is that bacteria and archaea did not make the transition to independent cellular life together.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026
I observe that he might also take offense at the implication that he and a younger replacement would be interchangeable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Anne Applebaum wrote an article for the Atlantic, and the headline was: “Ukraine Is Not Losing. Russia Is Not Winning”—the implication being that Ukraine’s doing better than we thought.
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026
His words were carefully chosen, but the implication was clear: America’s monopoly over the atomic bomb was over.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
He’ll also casually ask questions to HBO and DC reps in the room mid-interview that can’t be repeated here because of the implications to the broader franchise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
The new results therefore raise the possibility that the CRH system operating in OPCs could have broader implications for mental health.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
Yet for KeyBanc Capital Markets these two perceived issues create “an opportunity for investors who appreciate the revenue and EPS implications of doubling capacity into the strongest catalyst the industry has likely ever seen.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
The implications of the changes, say participants, could be huge.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
At first, she tried to ignore the accusations and implications, but she refused to allow herself to be characterized as a bigamist.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
