indicator

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce indicator (audio)
1
: one that indicates: such as
a
: an index hand (as on a dial) : pointer
(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
: any of a group of statistical values (such as level of employment) that taken together give an indication of the health of the economy
3
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)
4
: an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions
indicatory adjective

Examples of indicator in a Sentence

Economic indicators suggest that prices will go up. a control panel with various indicator lights
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Generosity can be a surprisingly powerful economic indicator. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 While the Dow is looking past concerns, Wall Street is also dealing with a government data blackout that has left investors without the usual gold-standard indicators of the health of the economy. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025 That’s the conclusion of a survey by WalletHub, a personal finance website and app, which analyzed more than 180 cities around the United States using 28 indicators of appeal, including the cost of groceries, affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants and food festivals per capita. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025 However, other small business indicators show weakness. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indicator

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indicator was in 1666

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicator. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

indicator

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər How to pronounce indicator (audio)
1
: one that indicates: as
a
: a pointer on a dial or scale
2
: a substance used to show visually (as by change of color) the presence of acid or base in a solution

Medical Definition

indicator

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər How to pronounce indicator (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on indicator

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