indicazione

Indicazione is a noun in Italian that denotes the act of indicating or something that indicates a state, fact, or direction. It can refer to a sign, a hint, or a piece of information pointing to something, as well as to instructions or guidelines. The term derives from Latin indicatio, related to indicare “to indicate.”

Common senses

- Sign or hint: an indicazione is something that points to a conclusion or condition, such as an indicator of improvement or a symptom pointing to a diagnosis.

- Directions and information: it encompasses instructions or directions provided to help use something or reach a place, for example indicazioni stradali (road signs) or indicazioni per l’uso (instructions for use) on a device or package.

- Medical and clinical use: in healthcare, indicazioni terapeutiche refer to the legitimate reasons to apply a treatment; indicazioni e controindicazioni describe when a therapy is appropriate or should be avoided.

- Regulatory and professional contexts: in legal, regulatory, or policy documents, indicazioni can denote guidelines, recommendations, or criteria to be followed.

Usage notes

The plural indicazioni is common when referring to guidelines, directions, or signs. The term emphasizes pointing to information or procedures rather than a mere signal, and it is frequently used across technical, medical, and administrative discourse. In some contexts, synonyms such as segnale, istruzioni, or linee guida may be used depending on nuance, but indicazione typically conveys an active information cue or directive.