indentation

noun

in·​den·​ta·​tion ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the blank space produced by indenting : indention sense 1a

a half-inch indentation

b

: the action of indenting

indentation of a line of text

: the condition of being indented

a paragraph set out by indentation

2

a

: an angular cut (such as a notch) or something resembling such a cut in an edge

indentations along the edge of a leaf

b

: a usually deep recess (as along a coastline)

a coastline with many indentations

3

: dent

Test [the fish] by depressing the flesh with a finger; it should spring back to its original shape leaving no indentation.

—Carole Sugarman

Synonyms

• cavity
• concavity
• dent
• depression
• dint
• hole
• hollow
• indenture
• pit
• recess

Examples of indentation in a Sentence

Our style guidelines call for indentation of the first line of each paragraph.

a coastline with many indentations

There were several small indentations in the surface of the table.

Recent Examples on the Web

Evenly space the stollen on the prepared baking sheet and let rise until when pressed with a floured finger, a small indentation remains, 45 minutes to 1 hour. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 16 Dec. 2024

Lost in the weeds Learning the syntax of a programming language – for example, where to place colons and where indentation is required – takes a lot of time for many students. —Daniel Zingaro, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025

View 1 Images Cuneiform, the world's oldest form of writing, involved making indentations in clay tablets. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2024

Cover and let rise until noticeably puffy and when the dough is pressed with a lightly floured finger, a small indentation remains, about 45 minutes. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for indentation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

indentation

noun

in·​den·​ta·​tion ˌin-ˌden-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: an angular cut in an edge : notch

b

: a deep recess (as in a coastline)

2

a

: the action of indenting : the state of being indented

b

: a blank or empty space produced by indenting

3

: dent entry 2 sense 1