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
If Bahrain is any indicator, this isn’t going to be a runaway championship.
—
Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Plenty of reasons why Donato’s breakout offensive season, which sits at 31 goals with two games to go, is more likely a one-off than an indicator of seasons to come.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
If the price of the first ticket sold for a Blue Origin spaceflight is any indicator, seats likely cost in the millions of dollars.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Many fines were related to long wait times, which mental health professionals hold up as another indicator of the overworked and understaffed workforce.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indicator
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Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Plenty of reasons why Donato’s breakout offensive season, which sits at 31 goals with two games to go, is more likely a one-off than an indicator of seasons to come.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
If the price of the first ticket sold for a Blue Origin spaceflight is any indicator, seats likely cost in the millions of dollars.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Many fines were related to long wait times, which mental health professionals hold up as another indicator of the overworked and understaffed workforce.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 12 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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