indentation

This term describes a physical or visual void where a surface has been pushed inward or shifted. It carries a neutral connotation, though in mechanical contexts, it often implies damage or a flaw, whereas in typography, it is a structured tool for organization.

As a countable noun, it refers to a specific instance of a notch or a single gap at the start of a paragraph. When referring to the general act of creating such a space in text, it can occasionally be treated as an abstract concept, but it typically functions as a countable entity.