indentation

[in-den-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. a cut, notch, or deep recess.

   various bays and indentations.

2. a series of incisions or notches.

   the indentation of a maple leaf.

3. a notching or being notched.

4. indention.

indentation

/ ˌɪndɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a hollowed, notched, or cut place, as on an edge or on a coastline

2. a series of hollows, notches, or cuts

3. the act of indenting or the condition of being indented

4. Also called: indention.  indent. the leaving of space or the amount of space left between a margin and the start of an indented line

indentation

1. A space left between the left-hand margin of a line of type or handwriting and the beginning of a sentence or quotation. The beginning of a paragraph is usually indented.

Word History and Origins

Origin of indentation¹

First recorded in 1715–25; indent ¹ + -ation

Example Sentences

I practically choke on my own saliva—the lines, edges, and indentations of my palm pattern are now crackling orange, like embers on a grill.

Read more on Literature

He finishes with special tools that carve out the metal and leave an indentation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some of the images we saw from the unit clearly show deep indentations or tightly-fastened cable-ties on the wrists and arms and ankles.

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The bullet is still in his leg to this day, marked by a coin-shaped indentation on his calf.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For air-fried burgers, flatten your patties as much as possible and press an indentation in the center to prevent them from puffing up.

Read more on Salon