# indentation

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɪndɛnˈteɪʃən/ · frequency rank #44,863

## Definitions
1. The act of indenting or state of being indented.
2. A notch or recess, in the margin or border of anything.
3. A recess or sharp depression in any surface.
4. The act of beginning a line or series of lines at a little distance within the flush line of the column or page, as in the common way of beginning the first line of a paragraph.
5. A measure of the distance from the flush line.
6. A division unit of a piece of law distinguished by its indentation or by a dash.

## Etymology
From indent + -ation.

## Easily confused with
- **infestation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/indentation-vs-infestation)
- **incantation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incantation-vs-indentation)

## Common misspellings (17)
`idnentation`, `inddentation`, `indenattion`, `indenntation`, `indentaiton`, `indentasion`, `indentatino`, `indentationn`, `indentatoin`, `indentattion`, `indenttaion`, `indenttation`, `indetnation`, `indnetation`, `inedntation`, `inndentation`, `nidentation`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/indentation