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
The boy had scratches and red swelling on his chest and an indentation on his lower leg near his shin, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Dusting sites look like small, round indentations or bowls in the dirt that usually have turkey feathers in them.
—Adam Moore, Outdoor Life, 10 Mar. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Dusting sites look like small, round indentations or bowls in the dirt that usually have turkey feathers in them.
—Adam Moore, Outdoor Life, 10 Mar. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 14 Mar. 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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