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
- reindication noun
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.
There was no indication that the injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
When HLB first began to spread, there was no indication it would be any worse than any other bug that had appeared over the years.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
It only gives us a broad indication of what might be out there but has already shown that information being widely shared online is not always what it appears to be.
From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026
The conflict’s strain on U.S. munitions stockpiles is further indication that the military needs more commercial partners to scale up supplies of munitions and tactical hardware, such as missiles and counterdrone technology, quickly.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
But the woman gave no indication either of understanding or of confusion.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
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.
