Standard Lemma guide

indiction

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ɪnˈdɪk.ʃən/
  • rhymes with -ɪkʃən

1

noun

Meaning 1

A fiscal period of fifteen years, instituted by Constantine in 313 C.E. (but counting from 1st September 312), used throughout the Middle Ages as a way of dating events, documents etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A declaration or official announcement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The decree made by Roman emperors which fixed the property tax for the next fifteen years.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

a 15-year cycle used as a chronological unit in ancient Rome and adopted in some medieval kingdoms

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: time period, period of time, period

History

Etymology

From Old French indiction or its source, Latin indictiōnem, accusative singular of indictiō, from indicere.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: indicció — cycle of fifteen years
  • Dutch: indictie — cycle of fifteen years
  • French: indiction — cycle of fifteen years
  • German: Indiktion — cycle of fifteen years
  • Greek: ινδικτιών (indiktión) — cycle of fifteen years
  • Hungarian: indikció — cycle of fifteen years
  • Italian: indizione — cycle of fifteen years
  • Japanese: インディクティオ (indikutio) — cycle of fifteen years
  • Portuguese: indicção — cycle of fifteen years
  • Russian: инди́кт (indíkt) — cycle of fifteen years
  • Russian: индиктио́н (indiktión) — cycle of fifteen years
  • Spanish: indicción — cycle of fifteen years