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