indication
Americannoun
-
indications
plural
-
anything serving to indicate or point out, as a sign or token.
- Synonyms:
- portent, intimation, hint
-
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
-
something that serves to indicate or suggest; sign
an indication of foul play
-
the degree or quantity represented on a measuring instrument or device
-
the action of indicating
-
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
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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!
Words for the High School Graduate
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!
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 51-60
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:
There is no indication that either insurer is in such dire straits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Nor did the administration offer any indication of how the tariffs were calculated and when, if ever, they would be removed.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
Along with the droppings and camera trap evidence, burrows in the mud bank are also a good indication of the population.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Metropolitan Police found the 41-year-old dead at a south London address and stated there was no indication of foul play.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Most of them are large, their width an indication of their wealth, and Mayor Carr is largest of all.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Investors may get more indications of Salesforce’s growth story on on Aug. 26, when the company is due to report earnings.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
There were no injuries reported or indications of arson, Atenza said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
And beyond the rhetorical tension in several areas, Burnham gave clear indications that he will apply "new eyes".
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, visiting the fire zone west of Madrid, warned that "difficult hours lie ahead" even if they were "positive" indications towards containing the blaze.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
But even before the first pitch was thrown, there were strong indications that all was not right.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
