indicator
noun
in·di·ca·tor
ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər 
1
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
4
: an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions
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
But throughout 2024, all eyes remained trained on the U.S. election as the most important indicator of global democracy’s future.
—
Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
The news came just days after S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that Nvidia is replacing rival chipmaker Intel in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a 30-member index that’s often viewed as a key indicator of the U.S. stock market.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
The state was, and mostly still is, expected to vote for Trump comfortably, but the poll was notable because observers viewed it as a strong indicator of how Iowa and the country as a whole may vote.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
The economy is top of mind for American voters, despite a number of positive economic indicators: inflation has fallen, and the economy grew 2.8% in the third quarter.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
The news came just days after S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that Nvidia is replacing rival chipmaker Intel in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a 30-member index that’s often viewed as a key indicator of the U.S. stock market.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
The state was, and mostly still is, expected to vote for Trump comfortably, but the poll was notable because observers viewed it as a strong indicator of how Iowa and the country as a whole may vote.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
The economy is top of mind for American voters, despite a number of positive economic indicators: inflation has fallen, and the economy grew 2.8% in the third quarter.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for indicator
Dictionary Entries Near indicator
Cite this Entry
“Indicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicator. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indicator
noun
in·di·ca·tor
ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər
1
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
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