indicator

noun in·di·ca·tor \ ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 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

Another indicator: Lenders appear to be offering slightly more attractive deals.

— kenneth r. harney, courant.com, "As Lender Competition Grows, Homebuyers Can Reap Bargains," 7 June 2018
The yield on the 10-year Treasury - one of the most closely watched indicators for mortgage rates - rebounded to 2.97 percent Wednesday.

— kathy orton, chicagotribune.com, "Mortgage rates fall for the second week in a row," 7 June 2018
All major indicators, primary election results included, suggest the state lawmaker is attempting an unlikely coup of a Bay Area political powerhouse.

— taryn luna, sacbee, "Why Kevin de León thinks he can beat Dianne Feinstein," 7 June 2018
Another indicator: Lenders appear to be offering slightly more attractive deals.

— kenneth r. harney, miamiherald, "Homebuyers can reap bargains thanks to growing lender competition," 4 June 2018
Scientists can predict when such an eruption will occur by measuring a series of indicators, including earthquakes and gas emissions at the volcano.

— Scientific American, "Volcanoes: Nature’s Way of Letting Off Steam," 4 June 2018
Besides using them to gauge economic indicators, many rely on them for censuses.

— The Economist, "Plunging response rates to household surveys worry policymakers," 24 May 2018
Inflation, according to the Fed's preferred indicator, reached 2% in March.

— bloomberg, latimes.com, "Fed on track to raise interest rates in June on belief economy remains in good shape," 23 May 2018
Other countries like ours, with the same mental health indicators, the same kinds of teenagers watching the same TV shows and movies and playing the same video games, don't have this problem.

— karina bland, azcentral, "What stands between kids and shooters is sometimes just a locked door," 23 May 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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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)