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Definition of indicator
1 : one that indicates: such asa : an index hand (as on a dial) : pointerb (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
2a : 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
From the M-W Editors
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
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But one indicator of quality, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, has remained less than stellar throughout KentuckyOne Health’s tenure at its Jewish and Sts.
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Markets have been transfixed by U.S. drilling, production, and consumption data in recent weeks, the best indicators of how quickly excess inventories will be whittled down.
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Other indicators, though, seem to suggest that Trump’s new political position is serving as a drag on his business prospects.
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Perhaps the most important non-poll indicator is that turnout in the GOP primary was more than twice as large as that in the Democratic primary.
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Insurers must submit applications by next Wednesday to sell plans through HealthCare.gov, and these will give us some of the first indicators of how high ObamaCare costs will skyrocket in 2018.
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This year, the state improved in all four indicators.
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Officers on patrol early on Monday noticed a Mercedes pulled awkwardly to the side of the road with the engine running, the brake lights on and a right indicator blinking.
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Snails and slug populations multiply in warm, wet conditions so their presence is an indicator of over-watering.
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 Defined for English Language Learners
indicator
playDefinition of indicator for English Language Learners
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: a sign that shows the condition or existence of something
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: a pointer or light that shows the state or condition of something
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: a device that shows a measurement
INDICATOR Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
indicator
playMedical 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) litmus and phenolphthalein are acid-base indicators
Learn More about indicator
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See words that rhyme with indicator Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for indicator Spanish Central: Translation of indicator Nglish: Translation of indicator for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of indicator for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indicator
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