indication

American  

[in-di-kay-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.

---

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

---

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

He finished third that weekend, but even that recently there was no indication a performance such as this was in the offing.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

There is no indication yet of broader cancellations or weaker bookings beyond FlyDubai’s suspended Israel service.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

The decision now lies with the Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, but will be seen as an important indication of Burnham's wider thinking on oil and gas.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

However, Mann said she drew little “comfort” from the increase in yields, an indication that she is likely to again vote for an increase in the key rate when the MPC meets next month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

But the woman gave no indication either of understanding or of confusion.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

“Information circulating that the student’s death was heat-related is incorrect, and there are no indications of any suspicious activity related to the student’s passing.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

There are, however, indications the backlog is now stabilising after the government committed unlimited funding to pay for more judges to sit in courts that were otherwise being unused.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

The FAA's review board reached this conclusion about the software bug's safety "because pilots retain full control of the aircraft and the indications to the flight crew are clear and unambiguous."

From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026

Recent eurozone inflation data gave indications that high energy prices were feeding through into higher prices elsewhere in the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

There had been many indications that things were getting out of hand, but the one that confirmed it was the opening of a new business east of the airport.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

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