indicate

verb

in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce indicate (audio)
indicated; indicating

transitive verb

1
a
: to point out or point to
b
: to be a sign, symptom, or index of
the high fever indicates a serious condition
c
: to demonstrate or suggest the necessity or advisability of
indicated the need for a new school
the indicated treatment
2
: to state or express briefly
indicated a desire to cooperate

Examples of indicate in a Sentence

Our records indicate a depth of 3,000 feet here. The map indicates where the treasure is buried. There is nothing to indicate that the two events are connected. The size of his offer indicates that he is eager to buy the house. The general used a long ruler to indicate on the map exactly where the troops would land. We asked how to get to the rear entrance, and he indicated a path leading around the right side of the building.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The updating radar map above shows areas of precipitation in green, with greater intensities indicated by yellow and orange. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024 Android phones, meanwhile, can now use use artificial intelligence to detect motion indicating someone snatched it out of your hand and is racing away on foot or a bike, and then lock the screen immediately. Kelvin Chan, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024 Data delayed 15 minutes unless otherwise indicated (view delay times for all exchanges). Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024 Pacheco had a sizable lead in both Los Angeles and Orange counties, a tally of mail-in ballots and results from in-person voting announced by the secretary of state shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, indicated. Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for indicate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin indicatus, past participle of indicare, from in- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate — more at diction

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indicate was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near indicate

Cite this Entry

“Indicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicate. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

indicate

verb
in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce indicate (audio)
indicated; indicating
1
a
: to point out or point to
b
: to be a sign of
flowers indicating the arrival of spring
2
: to state or express briefly : suggest

Medical Definition

indicate

transitive verb
in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce indicate (audio)
indicated; indicating
1
: to be a fairly certain symptom of : show the presence or existence of
the high fever indicates a serious condition
2
: to call for especially as treatment for a particular condition
radical surgery is often indicated in advanced cancer

More from Merriam-Webster on indicate

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