index
noun
in·dex
| \ ˈin-ˌdeks
\
\
plural indexes
or indices\ ˈin-də-ˌsēz
\
\
Definition of index
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a list (as of bibliographical information or citations to a body of literature) arranged usually in alphabetical order of some specified datum (such as author, subject, or keyword): such as
a
: a list of items (such as topics or names) treated in a printed work that gives for each item the page number where it may be found
b
: a list of publicly traded companies and their stock prices
c
: a bibliographical analysis of groups of publications that is usually published periodically
d
: thumb index
2a
: a number (such as a ratio) derived from a series of observations and used as an indicator or measure
specifically
: index number
b
: the ratio of one dimension of a thing (such as an anatomical structure) to another dimension
3a
: a device (such as the pointer on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial) that serves to indicate a value or quantity
b
: something (such as a physical feature or a mode of expression) that leads one to a particular fact or conclusion : indication
4
plural usually indices
: a number or symbol or expression (such as an exponent) associated with another to indicate a mathematical operation to be performed or to indicate use or position in an arrangement
3 is the index of the expression {latex}\sqrt[3]{5}{/latex} to indicate the cube root of 5
5
: a character ☞ used to direct attention to a note or paragraph
— called also fist
6
: a list of restricted or prohibited material
specifically,
capitalized
: a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
index
verb
indexed;
indexing;
indexes
Definition of index (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to provide with an index
b
: to list in an index
all persons and places mentioned are carefully indexed
2
: to serve as an index of
3
: to regulate (wages, prices, interest rates, etc.) by indexation
: to index something
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Synonyms for index
Synonyms: Noun
hand, indicator, needle, pointer
Synonyms: Verb
catalog (or catalogue), enroll (also enrol), enter, inscribe, list, put down, record, register, schedule, slate
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Examples of index in a Sentence
Noun
Look up the recipe for potato soup in the index. Potato soup is listed under “soup” in the index. The card catalog is an index to the materials in the library. the index on a scaleVerb
This search engine has indexed hundreds of millions of Web sites. indexed all the books in the library by category
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Highs head for the mid-90s and heat indexes rise to and past 100. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Temperatures rise this weekend, and it stays hot into next week," 17 Aug. 2019 The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday in Houston and surrounding cities and counties, with heat indexes ranging from 106 to 110 degrees. — Jasper Scherer, Houston Chronicle, "Heat advisory in effect Saturday in Houston, surrounding area," 17 Aug. 2019 But humidity levels will be on the increase, making the heat index climb above 100 degrees in many locations. — Leigh Morgan, al, "Hot, hot, hot today: Who will hit 100 degrees?," 17 Aug. 2019 There can be no outdoor practice or workouts when the heat index is more than 92 degrees, according to state guidelines. — NBC News, "High school basketball player dies while working out in brutal Georgia heat," 16 Aug. 2019 The heat index hit 117 (47 Celsius) before noon Tuesday in the Mobile, Alabama, area. — Jeff Martin And Jay Reeves, chicagotribune.com, "Dreadful heat, humidity invade South as misery continues," 15 Aug. 2019 The heat index soared to 121 degrees by late afternoon in Clarksdale, Miss., and to 119 degrees in West Memphis, Ark., the weather service reported. — Jeff Martin, BostonGlobe.com, "Dangerous heat grips wide stretch of the South and Midwest," 12 Aug. 2019 The last time the heat index was below 100 degrees in Galveston was about 5 a.m. Thursday. — Jesus Jimenez, Dallas News, "Heat index values in Galveston have not dipped below 100 degrees for more than 30 hours," 9 Aug. 2019 The heat index will be close to or slightly above 100 degrees. — courant.com, "Another 90-degree day," 30 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Highlights of Pete Buttigieg's economic proposal The federal minimum wage would be set at $15 an hour and would be indexed to median wage growth. — Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star, "Pete Buttigieg would let gig-economy workers unionize, set $15 minimum wage," 26 July 2019 SmartAsset’s indexed the results to 100, with 100 indicating where Social Security would cover most of people’s needs. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Want to get the most out of Social Security dollars in Colorado? Report says Custer County is the place for you.," 16 July 2019 Other commonsense changes, such as raising and indexing the retirement age and using a more accurate inflation index, would help as well. — Rachel Greszler, National Review, "Taxing Inheritances Won’t Fix Social Security," 9 July 2019 The gas tax last was raised in 1990 and will be indexed to the rate of inflation in the future. — Kimberly Fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Drivers, gas station owners react to first day of state fuel tax increase," 1 July 2019 By the 1970s, the number indexed a wealth of sensitive information in computer data banks, prompting major privacy legislation. — Time Staff, Time, "15 Unsung Moments From American History That Historians Say You Should Know About," 28 June 2019 Today’s booklets are also easier to use, more clearly organized and indexed. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra program book editor Eric Sellen relishes role as musical liaison," 13 June 2019 Under a national system of industry-wide salary awards, pay in many jobs, from cabin crew to funeral directors, is in effect indexed to the minimum wage. — The Economist, "Australia has the world’s highest minimum wage," 20 July 2019 The state’s 19-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax, last raised in 1990, doubled to 38 cents per gallon and will be indexed to future inflation increases. — Mary Wisniewski, chicagotribune.com, "Lightfoot says she won’t raise Chicago’s gas tax," 1 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'index.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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