indent

1 of 2

verb (1)

in·​dent in-ˈdent 

indented; indenting; indents

transitive verb

1

: to set (something, such as a line of a paragraph) in from the margin

2

: to notch the edge of : make jagged

3

chiefly British : to order by an indent

4

: indenture

5

a

: to divide (a document) so as to produce sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication

b

: to draw up (something, such as a deed) in two or more exactly corresponding copies

intransitive verb

1

: to form an indentation

2

chiefly British : to make out an indent for something

3

obsolete : to make a formal or express agreement

indenter noun

see also:

indent on

indent

2 of 2

verb (2)

in·​dent in-ˈdent 

indented; indenting; indents

transitive verb

1

: to force inward so as to form a depression

2

: to form a dent in

Examples of indent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Not soft, but tender enough to feel my fingers indent when gently squeezing them—perhaps two days away from being near perfectly ripe. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026

All are distinctive, all indented subtly with Butler's happy-but-dead-eyed Bigface logo. —Pete Cottell, Wired News, 24 Nov. 2025

The event was indented to take place from June 28-30, 2024 at the Thompson Motor Speedway, according to the Office of the Attorney General. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2025

The handle has microdots indented at the major pressure points, providing extra grip, as well as giving the perfect balance and weight to make holiday food prep a breeze. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French endenter, from en- + dent tooth, from Latin dent-, dens — more at tooth

Verb (2)

Middle English endenten, from en- + denten to dent

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5a

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing indent

• indent on

Rhymes for indent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

indent

1 of 2 verb

in·​dent in-ˈdent 

1

: to notch the edge of : make jagged

indented leaves

2

: to set in from the margin

indent the first line of a paragraph

indent

2 of 2 verb

: to form a dent in

indenter noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English indenten "indent," from early French endenter (same meaning), from earlier en- "to provide with" and dent "tooth," from Latin dent-, dens "tooth" — related to dental