indentation

/ˈɪnˈdɛnˌteɪʃən/

/ɪndɪnˈteɪʃən/

Other forms: indentations

An indentation is a notch, cut, or dent in something. If you take a hammer to a piece of metal, you will make a series of indentations.

The dent in indentation shares a root with your dentist, and an indentation is basically like a tooth mark. Except some "teeth" are larger than others — a meteorite leaves a huge indentation in the ground, just as a sharp pencil could make a tiny indentation in your finger. You can talk about conceptual indentation, too. Loving the novel Anna Karenina might make an indentation in your general aversion to reading. It’s that’s good.

Definitions of indentation

1. noun

   the space left between the margin and the start of an indented line
   synonyms: indent, indention, indenture

   type of:

   blank space, place, space

   a blank area
2. noun

   the act of cutting into an edge with toothlike notches or angular incisions
   type of:

   change of shape

   an action that changes the shape of something
3. noun

   a concave cut into a surface or edge (as in a coastline)
   synonyms: indenture

   types:

   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)

   serration

   a single notch in a row of notches

   thumb index

   one of a series of rounded notches in the fore edge of a book to indicate sections

   undercut

   a notch cut in the trunk of tree in order to determine the direction of its fall

   incisura, incisure

   (anatomy) a notch or small hollow

   type of:

   concave shape, concavity, incurvation, incurvature

   a shape that curves or bends inward
4. noun

   the formation of small pits in a surface as a consequence of corrosion
   synonyms: pitting, roughness

   type of:

   corroding, corrosion, erosion

   erosion by chemical action