indentation

[ in-den-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a cut, notch, or deep recess:

   various bays and indentations.

2. a series of incisions or notches:

   the indentation of a maple leaf.

3. a notching or being notched.
4. indention ( defs 1, 2 ).

indentation

/ ˌɪndɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a hollowed, notched, or cut place, as on an edge or on a coastline
2. a series of hollows, notches, or cuts
3. the act of indenting or the condition of being indented
4. Also calledindentionindent the leaving of space or the amount of space left between a margin and the start of an indented line

indentation

1. A space left between the left-hand margin of a line of type or handwriting and the beginning of a sentence or quotation. The beginning of a paragraph is usually indented.

Word History and Origins

Origin of indentation¹

First recorded in 1715–25; indent ¹ + -ation

Example Sentences

The first is a generous, pear-shaped indentation to hold a lit cigarette or cigar.

From Los Angeles Times

Kinter and Roberts said the indentations are streambeds that their Patwin ancestors committed to memory for when they needed water.

From Los Angeles Times

A photo taken by San Clemente lifeguards and shared with The Times showed damage to the surfboard, with two indentations near the tip of the board where the shark was thought to have knocked it.

From Los Angeles Times

And not only was her head empty, she now had an indentation in the shell where he’d kicked her.

From Literature

The two bioswales in the front are like planted indentations in the ground that fill with water after a heavy rain and hold it long enough that it sinks in.

From Los Angeles Times