Indication: meaning, definitions and examples

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indication

[ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

A sign or piece of information that indicates the state or level of something. It can be used to diagnose a condition or guide treatment.

Synonyms

clue, evidence, sign, symptom.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
indication	Used when referring to something that suggests or points to a possible outcome or the presence of something. The high sales figures are an indication of the product's popularity. Her smile was an indication that she was pleased with the outcome.
sign	Typically used to denote something that represents or indicates a state, condition, or fact. It is often used in both medical and general contexts. Dark clouds are a sign of imminent rain. The doctor checked for signs of improvement in the patient's condition.
symptom	Specifically used in medical contexts to refer to a physical or mental feature that indicates a condition or disease. It usually has a negative connotation. A sore throat is a common symptom of a cold. Fatigue and weight loss can be symptoms of an underlying health issue.
evidence	Used primarily in legal, scientific, or investigative contexts. It refers to factual information or data that supports a claim or hypothesis. There was enough evidence to convict the suspect. Scientific evidence suggests that the climate is changing.
clue	Commonly used in the context of solving a puzzle, mystery, or in investigations. It often implies a hint or guide to understanding something. The detective found a clue that could help solve the case. The broken vase was a clue that someone might have entered the house.

Examples of usage

The patient's elevated temperature is an indication of infection.
Blood in the urine is an indication of kidney problems.
A high white blood cell count is an indication of inflammation.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

A suggestion or hint about something.

Synonyms

clue, hint, suggestion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
indication	Used when referring to a signal or sign that suggests something. Often employed in formal contexts such as medical, scientific, or technical fields. The high fever was an indication of a potential infection. An increasing number of birds can be an indication of a healthy ecosystem.
hint	Used when suggesting a subtle or indirect indication or piece of advice. It is often less direct and more casual than 'indication' or 'clue'. She gave me a hint about what she wanted for her birthday. There are hints in the text that suggest the character's true motives.
clue	Used when referring to a piece of evidence or information that helps to solve a puzzle, mystery, or problem. It is often used in informal contexts. The detective found a clue that might lead them to the thief. I can't solve this crossword puzzle without a clue.
suggestion	Used when proposing an idea, plan, or piece of advice for someone to consider. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts. I have a suggestion for how we can improve our sales. His suggestion to visit the new restaurant was a great idea.

Examples of usage

Her smile was an indication of her happiness.
The dark clouds were an indication of an impending storm.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'indicatio', which means 'to show or point out'.
In Latin, it is made up of 'indicare', meaning 'to indicate' or 'to point out'.
The 'ind' part hints at 'into' or 'in', signaling that something is being pointed to or directed.

Science

In research, an indication often refers to a set of signs used to demonstrate results or features of a study.
Medical indications are critical for determining treatments, guiding doctors on what methods to use based on symptoms.
In psychology, certain behaviors can serve as indications of underlying thoughts or emotions, helping professionals understand a person better.

Communication

Non-verbal cues like gestures and facial expressions often serve as indications of a person's feelings or intentions.
In written communication, indications can be used through symbols or words to clarify meaning, improving understanding.
Contextual clues in conversation act as indications that help listeners interpret the speaker’s message.

Pop Culture

In films, the use of visual indications can foreshadow events, creating suspense for the audience.
Music often includes indications like dynamics (loud or soft) and tempo to guide performers in how to play a piece.
Graphic novels rely on visual indications, using imagery alongside text to tell the story more vividly.

Education

In assessments, indications are used to show a student’s understanding or mastery of specific topics, guiding future learning.
Teachers often provide indications of success through feedback, helping students recognize areas needing improvement.
Standardized tests often include indications that inform test-takers how well they are performing compared to benchmarks.

Translations

Translations of the word "indication" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indicação

🇮🇳 संकेत

🇩🇪 Hinweis

🇮🇩 indikasi

🇺🇦 вказівка

🇵🇱 wskazanie

🇯🇵 表示

🇫🇷 indication

🇪🇸 indicación

🇹🇷 belirti

🇰🇷 표시

🇸🇦 إشارة

🇨🇿 indikace

🇸🇰 indikácia

🇨🇳 指示

🇸🇮 indikacija

🇮🇸 vísbending

🇰🇿 көрсеткіш

🇬🇪 მითითება

🇦🇿 göstəriş

🇲🇽 indicación

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,383, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3380 bars
3381 roles
3382 fitted
3383 indication
3384 pulse
3385 interpreted
3386 terrible
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