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
Comfort definitely improved, but performance didn’t always keep pace — there were times when traction suffered, leading to more slipping and, in my opinion, the softer spikes could leave deeper indentations on greens that sometimes-affected putting.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Mabel is able to shade in the adjacent page to read the pencil indentations, which at first seems to be just more notes on birds.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Blades lop off body parts, while blunt force trauma breaks bones and bashes indentations in soft flesh.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Using the bottom of a round teaspoon, create an indentation in center of crust mixture in each muffin tray well.
—Craig Melvin, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Mabel is able to shade in the adjacent page to read the pencil indentations, which at first seems to be just more notes on birds.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Blades lop off body parts, while blunt force trauma breaks bones and bashes indentations in soft flesh.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Using the bottom of a round teaspoon, create an indentation in center of crust mixture in each muffin tray well.
—Craig Melvin, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 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 17 Sep. 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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