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
Flour the tines of a fork; lightly press it into edge of the dough to create indentations.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
The bullet casing had the same tool markings – unique individual indentations that guns produce on casings once they have been expended – to a gun used in an unsolved murder in Kentucky in 1998.
—Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indentation
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Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
The bullet casing had the same tool markings – unique individual indentations that guns produce on casings once they have been expended – to a gun used in an unsolved murder in Kentucky in 1998.
—Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for indentation
Cite this Entry
“Indentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indentation. Accessed 29 Oct. 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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