indication

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
a
: something that serves to indicate
b
: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
2
: the action of indicating
indicational adjective

Examples of indication in a Sentence

Her evaluation will give me a good indication of where I stand in the class. There were indications that he was thinking of changing jobs.
Recent Examples on the Web Bloom tells Fortune that’s a clear indication that HR executives are climbing the corporate ladder. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024 The survey’s results provide another indication of the potential for AI and generative AI — which can create original text, images and other content in response to prompts from users — to revolutionize employment and the way people work. Anna Cooban, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024 Attorneys argued there were four sources of linguistic vagueness in the law: the use of nonmedical language, ambiguous terminology, no indication of timing and the reasonable medical judgement standard. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024 All should be widely available in DFW liquor stores and, if the success of Shiner beer is any indication, around the state and nationally before long. Ryan J. Rusak, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024 The Official Selection gives, year after year, a strong indication of what cinema has become, its changes, evolutions and what remains immutable. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024 That’s a strong indication that spatial audio could be on the way as part of Supremium’s set of bonus features. Chris Welch, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024 There’s no indication the Administration’s anywhere close to that. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024 But one hit soundtrack single – that stayed two weeks in the Hot 100 top 10, which isn’t a remarkable feat for a Rihanna single – is no indication of her hypothetical new album era. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indication was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near indication

Cite this Entry

“Indication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indication. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

indication

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
: the action of indicating
2
: something that indicates : sign, suggestion

Medical Definition

indication

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tion ˌin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce indication (audio)
1
a
: a symptom or particular circumstance that indicates the advisability or necessity of a specific medical treatment or procedure
postpartum hemorrhage is the chief indication for the use of ergot preparations and derivativesC. H. Thienes
b
: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
in case of collapse the immediate indication is artificial respirationJournal of the American Medical Association
2
: the degree indicated in a specific instance or at a specific time on a graduated physical instrument (as a thermometer)

More from Merriam-Webster on indication

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