indicator
noun
in·di·ca·tor
| \ ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər
\
\
Definition of indicator
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
2a
: 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
3
: an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions
4
: any of a group of statistical values (such as level of employment) that taken together give an indication of the health of the economy
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from indicator
indicatory
\ in-ˈdi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē
\
adjective
\
adjective
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
Sage grouse are chicken-sized, ground-dwelling birds considered an indicator species for the health of vast sagebrush landscapes in the U.S. West that support some 350 species of wildlife. — Washington Post, "Forest Service to change sage grouse protections in 5 states," 2 Aug. 2019 Sage grouse are chicken-sized, ground-dwelling birds considered an indicator species for the health of vast sagebrush landscapes in the U.S. West that support some 350 species of wildlife. — Keith Ridler, The Denver Post, "Forest Service to change sage grouse protections in Colorado, four other western states," 1 Aug. 2019 For example, a drop in customer payments at a retailer’s flagship store might be an early indicator that the company’s prospects -- and its ability to repay debt -- are deteriorating. — Fortune, "Jack Ma’s Online Bank Is Leading a Quiet Revolution in Chinese Lending," 29 July 2019 The five-year average in lake visibility — widely considered an indicator of the Lake Tahoe basin’s environmental health — is now 70.3 feet, an increase of almost a foot from the previous five-year average. — Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, "Lake Tahoe fills to the top as massive winter snows melt," 12 July 2019 Researchers measured hair cortisol levels (an indicator of chronic stress) in dog-human dyads and found a strong degree of interspecies synchronization. — Daphne Miller, chicagotribune.com, "A new meaning for ‘sick as a dog’? Your pet’s health may tell you something about your own," 11 July 2019 The yellow mist rising from the trees looks like an indicator of a rapidly changing environment, which is leaving its mark on human health, local forests and the tideline. — The Economist, "Alaska’s changing climate," 4 July 2019 These bugs are more tolerant of toxins and different water qualities, and are less of an indicator of the lake’s health. — Mary Kilpatrick, cleveland.com, "Take note, Clevelanders. Mayflies begin to emerge from Lake Erie," 18 June 2019 Yet the outcome of Mr. Vandemoer’s case seemed an imperfect indicator of how cases against others may play out. — New York Times, "Stanford Coach Avoids Prison in Admissions Scandal. Have Colleges Avoided Blame?," 12 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indicator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for indicator
indicator
noun
English Language Learners Definition of indicator
: a sign that shows the condition or existence of something
: a pointer or light that shows the state or condition of something
: a device that shows a measurement
See the full definition for indicator in the English Language Learners Dictionary
indicator
noun
in·di·ca·tor
| \ ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər
\
\
Kids Definition of indicator
1
: a sign that shows or suggests the condition or existence of something
2
: a pointer on a dial or scale
indicator
noun
in·di·ca·tor
| \ ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər
\
\
Medical Definition of indicator
: 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
Keep scrolling for more