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
The Fed's next decision on interest rates will likely hinge on continued economic indicators, including hiring trends and inflation data.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
But those precursor awards are also imperfect indicators, and some of them have better track records than others.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025
Extra-curricular activities and interests outside professional domains often reveal how candidates connect seemingly unrelated concepts—a crucial indicator of interdisciplinary thinking potential.
—William Purvis, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The 10-year Treasury yield, which is seen as an indicator of growth expectations, dropped on that news.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indicator
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David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
But those precursor awards are also imperfect indicators, and some of them have better track records than others.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025
Extra-curricular activities and interests outside professional domains often reveal how candidates connect seemingly unrelated concepts—a crucial indicator of interdisciplinary thinking potential.
—William Purvis, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The 10-year Treasury yield, which is seen as an indicator of growth expectations, dropped on that news.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indicator
Cite this Entry
“Indicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicator. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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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