Indenting - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

text formatting

Indenting refers to the practice of adding space before the beginning of a line of text. It is commonly used in writing to signal the start of a new paragraph or to organize information hierarchically. In programming, indentation helps to define code blocks and improve readability.

Synonyms

indentation, offset, spacing.

Examples of usage

Please use indenting to separate paragraphs.
The code required proper indenting to run correctly.
Indenting the first line of each paragraph is standard in formal writing.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The concept of indenting text dates back to early printed books in the 15th century, where it marked new paragraphs.
In the 17th century, play scripts often used indenting to show dialogue differently from stage directions.

Writing Styles

Different writing styles have varied rules about indenting: for example, in American English, the first line of a paragraph is usually indented, while in British English, it's often not.
In programming, indenting is crucial because it defines the structure of the code, showing which instructions belong together.

Education

Learning to indent correctly is a fundamental skill taught in early writing classes to help organize thoughts.
Teachers often use indents in writing assignments to evaluate how well students can structure their work.

Digital Communication

In modern word processors, features allow automatic indentation, making it easier for writers to focus on content instead of formatting.
On many social media platforms, indents are often eliminated to create a more uniform text appearance.

Design and Aesthetics

Indenting creates a visual cue for readers, helping them quickly identify new paragraphs or sections in a text.
In graphic design, text indenting is used to enhance readability and guide the viewer's eye across the page.

Origin of 'indenting'

The term 'indent' is derived from the Latin word 'indentare', meaning to tooth or notch. The concept of indenting goes back to early manuscripts where scribes would leave a space at the start of paragraphs for clarity and organization before the widespread use of printed text. In the 16th century, the usage of indentation became more standardized in English writing, particularly in literature, to enhance readability. With the advent of computing and programming, indentation evolved to become a crucial part of code structure as well, where it is used to indicate nested statements and code blocks, ensuring that software developers can read and maintain their code with ease.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,741 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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32738 vilify
32739 understudy
32740 abettor
32741 indenting
32742 defrost
32743 necromancy
32744 objectifying
...

Indenting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations