indicator

noun in·di·ca·tor \ ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of indicator

1 : one that indicates: such as

a : an index hand (as on a dial) : pointer

b (1) : gauge 2b, dial 4a

(2) : an instrument for automatically making a diagram that indicates the pressure in and volume of the working fluid of an engine throughout the cycle

2 a : a substance (such as litmus) used to show visually (as by change of color) the condition of a solution with respect to the presence of a particular material (such as a free acid or alkali)

b : tracer 4b

3 : an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions

4 : any of a group of statistical values (such as level of employment) that taken together give an indication of the health of the economy

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indicatory

play \in-ˈdi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See indicator defined for English-language learners

See indicator defined for kids

Examples of indicator in a Sentence

Economic indicators suggest that prices will go up.
a control panel with various indicator lights

Recent Examples of indicator from the Web

Doctors, especially primary care physicians, are in a unique position to know some of the most private details of our lives, including many indicators that could suggest a higher risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Don't be surprised if your doctor asks you about guns," 15 Apr. 2018
But Treasury bond yields rose steadily through January as indicators of economic strength, particularly the persistently low unemployment rate, raised the prospect of rising inflation.

— conrad de aenlle, New York Times, "A Trade War Could Leave Investors With Few Places to Hide," 13 Apr. 2018
Without asking their age, Google is able, through other indicators based on viewing habits, to identify this data as the extra-profitable kid stuff, which marketers most covet.

— david monahan, Fortune, "Commentary: I Work to Protect Kids’ Privacy. Here’s Why I’m Calling BS on Google," 12 Apr. 2018
Those two things regressed from Sept. 1 on, and neither indicator looks too good now.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Five Orioles stats that stand out: Fun with small sample sizes through season's first two weeks," 12 Apr. 2018
That’s because their primary function is to help achieve one or two specific key performance indicators (KPIs) chosen by the company.

— renee diresta, WIRED, "Up Next: A Better Recommendation System," 11 Apr. 2018
The tests scores released also show students eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch, a poverty indicator, had lower average scores across the tests compared to their non-eligible peers.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska students’ math and reading test scores below national average on ‘nation’s report card’," 11 Apr. 2018
Former state superintendent Michael Sentance rang the NAEP alarm bell in 2016, pointing to Alabama's low ranking in the country as a clear indicator that Alabama needed urgent improvement in math, reading and science.

— trisha powell crain, AL.com, "Alabama's national test scores still low, but not last," 10 Apr. 2018
Other indicators were depression, social anxiety, and loneliness or professional problems resulting from online behavior (for example, missing classes, meetings or deadlines).

— tara bahrampour, Washington Post, "The personality traits that put you at risk for smartphone addiction, according to science," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indicator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of indicator

1666

indicator Synonyms

Synonyms

hand, index, needle, pointer;

Related Words

dial, face, gauge (also gage);

INDICATOR Defined for English Language Learners

indicator

noun

Definition of indicator for English Language Learners

: a sign that shows the condition or existence of something
: a pointer or light that shows the state or condition of something
: a device that shows a measurement

INDICATOR Defined for Kids

indicator

noun in·di·ca·tor \ ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər \

Definition of indicator for Students

1 : a sign that shows or suggests the condition or existence of something

2 : a pointer on a dial or scale

3 : ¹dial 3, gauge

Medical Dictionary

indicator

noun in·di·ca·tor \ ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər \

medical Definition of indicator

: a substance (as a dye) used to show visually (as by a change in color) the condition of a solution with respect to the presence of a particular material (as a free acid or alkali)