INDENTATION

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does indentation mean? 

• INDENTATION (noun)
  The noun INDENTATION has 4 senses:

1. a concave cut into a surface or edge (as in a coastline)

2. the formation of small pits in a surface as a consequence of corrosion

3. the space left between the margin and the start of an indented line

4. the act of cutting into an edge with toothlike notches or angular incisions

  Familiarity information: INDENTATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INDENTATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A concave cut into a surface or edge (as in a coastline)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Synonyms:

indentation; indenture

Hypernyms ("indentation" is a kind of...):

concave shape; concavity; incurvation; incurvature (a shape that curves or bends inward)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "indentation"):

notch (a V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface)

notch (a V-shaped indentation)

cleft (a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin))

Sense 2

Meaning:

The formation of small pits in a surface as a consequence of corrosion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

indentation; pitting; roughness

Hypernyms ("indentation" is a kind of...):

corroding; corrosion; erosion (erosion by chemical action)

Derivation:

indent (make a depression into)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The space left between the margin and the start of an indented line

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

indent; indentation; indention; indenture

Hypernyms ("indentation" is a kind of...):

blank space; place; space (a blank area)

Derivation:

indent (set in from the margin)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The act of cutting into an edge with toothlike notches or angular incisions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("indentation" is a kind of...):

change of shape (an action that changes the shape of something)

Derivation:

indent (notch the edge of or make jagged)

 Context examples 

Swelling due to excessive accumulation of fluid under the skin defined by a persistent indentation when pressure is applied to the swollen area.

(Pitting Edema, NCI Thesaurus)

The small indentations in the stomach mucosa where the gastric glands open to the stomach lumen.

(Gastric Pit, NCI Thesaurus)

A split or indentation in something.

(Cleft, NCI Thesaurus)

As long as the criminal remains upon two legs so long must there be some indentation, some abrasion, some trifling displacement which can be detected by the scientific searcher.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

One piece, about three feet in length, had a very marked indentation at one end, while several were flattened at the sides as if they had been compressed by some considerable weight.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A package that consists of molded plastic or laminate that has indentations (viewed as 'blisters' when flipped) into which a dosage form, is placed.

(Blister Pack, NCI Thesaurus)

Hump, if you will look on the west coast of the map of Norway you will see an indentation called Romsdal Fiord.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The bedclothes had not been turned down, but there was an indentation upon the counterpane which showed that some one had lain there.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The usual method to achieve a hardness value is to measure the depth or area of an indentation left by an indenter of a specific shape, with a specific force applied for a specific time.

(Device Hardness Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)