consumer price index

noun

: an index measuring the change in the cost of typical wage-earner purchases of goods and services expressed as a percentage of the cost of these same goods and services in some base period

—abbreviation CPI

called also cost-of-living index

Examples of consumer price index in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The outlet also reports that South Florida‘s consumer price index has climbed 36 percent since 2019—one of the largest increases in the country, trailing only Tampa. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 July 2026

Her warning came despite the latest consumer price index coming in below expectations, easing fears that the Fed might have to hike rates later this month. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 July 2026

On Tuesday, bond yields eased after the latest consumer price index print came in sharply lower than expected. — Sean Conlon,hugh Leask, CNBC, 15 July 2026

This chart shows the year over year change in the consumer price index, a common measure of inflation, from January 2023 to June 2026. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

consumer price index

noun

consumer price in·​dex

: an index measuring the change in the cost of typical wage-earner purchases of goods and services in some base period

called also cost-of-living index