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
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
Carole SugarmanExamples 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
Thumb stones are about half an inch wider than the average thumb and have an indentation.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
Put the tip of the spatula (or the tip of a spoon) on the bottom of the outer edge of the pavlova and pull upward, creating an indentation in the pavlova with a bit of a peak on top.
—Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The navel, also known as the belly button or umbilicus, is a small, round, or oval indentation or bump in the middle of the abdomen (belly).
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 9 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
Put the tip of the spatula (or the tip of a spoon) on the bottom of the outer edge of the pavlova and pull upward, creating an indentation in the pavlova with a bit of a peak on top.
—Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The navel, also known as the belly button or umbilicus, is a small, round, or oval indentation or bump in the middle of the abdomen (belly).
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 9 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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