indicator

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər 

1

: one that indicates: such as

a

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

b(1)

: gauge sense 2b, dial sense 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

: 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)

b

: tracer sense 4b

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

in-ˈdi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• hand
• index
• needle
• pointer

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

While cicadas may indeed be more noticeable before monsoon rain, their behavior is not a reliable indicator of impending weather conditions. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

Purchasing online ads, record keeping, and operating credit card systems are some indicators that an unlicensed seller would now need to be licensed as a gun dealer, the officials said. —Robert Legare, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024

There were no prior indicators of domestic strife, Golan said. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

The indicators included explicit discussion in online spaces of tactics associated with ISIS’s attack; a proliferation of violent extremist content associated with ISIS’s attack, particularly in English; and interest in attack guidance in online forums. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

Recession fears retreated as economic indicators exceeded expectations again and again. —Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024

Another standout feature of the charging dock is its LED indicator lights. —Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024

WalletHub, a financial services firm, used 41 indicators to rank the cities. —Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024

In other macroeconomic news, the unemployment report, which is a key indicator of economic health, is due out on Friday. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing indicator

• plan position indicator

Kids Definition

indicator

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər 

1

: one that indicates: as

a

: a pointer on a dial or scale

b

: gauge entry 1 sense 2a

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 

: 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