1.nounA shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact.
"The crash produced a dent in the left side of the car."
2.nounA type of maize/corn with a relatively soft outer hull, and a soft type of starch that shrinks at maturity to leave an indentation in the surface of the kernel.
3.noun(by extension) A sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action