indication
Americannoun
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anything serving to indicate or point out, as a sign or token.
- Synonyms:
- portent, intimation, hint
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Medicine/Medical. a special symptom or the like that points out a suitable remedy or treatment or shows the presence of a disease.
-
an act of indicating.
-
the degree marked by an instrument.
noun
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something that serves to indicate or suggest; sign
an indication of foul play
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the degree or quantity represented on a measuring instrument or device
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the action of indicating
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something that is indicated as advisable, necessary, or expedient
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing indication
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Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 51-60
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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.
But Raymond said that el-Obeid does not currently display the same ethnic dynamics that characterised the violence in el-Fasher, adding: "Right now, we don't see any indication of a large-scale plan by RSF to attack."
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
Paxton’s living arrangements since he separated from his wife are not public, but information obtained by ProPublica and the Tribune offers some indication of where he may have been residing since February.
From Salon • Jul. 7, 2026
Even though Balogun had stepped on Tarik Muharemović’s leg, there was no indication he did it on purpose.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026
“If the last four quarters are an indication … there is reason to be optimistic.”
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
If the constellation of medals on his chest was any indication, he had to be a general or close to it.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
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.
