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)

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to index something

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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 scale

Verb

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

Home prices in the metro area grew by 2.4% during the 12 months that ended in June, the new numbers from the S&P/CoreLogic Case-Shiller index show. — Elliot Njus, oregonlive.com, "Portland leads West Coast metros in rising home prices amid slowdown," 27 Aug. 2019 The final index is comprised of 70 micropolitan statistical areas. — Shelly Hagan And Wei Lu, chicagotribune.com, "These are the best places to own a vacation home in the US," 27 Aug. 2019 Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. — CNN, "Send us your questions about a possible recession," 21 Aug. 2019 Consumer spending accounts for roughly 70% of economic activity in the U.S., so confidence indexes are watched closely by investors to assess whether shoppers might pull back. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "U.S. trade war with China is torpedoing consumer confidence," 16 Aug. 2019 Heat indices in the middle to upper 90s are expected Sunday, the National Weather Service said. — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati weather: Hot and humid, then a chance of storms," 15 Aug. 2019 The benchmark index was lifted partly by shares in retailers and computer chip producers that have been especially sensitive to the trade tensions. — Ana Swanson, BostonGlobe.com, "US to delay some China tariffs until stores stock up for holiday shoppers," 13 Aug. 2019 The benchmark index was lifted partly by shares in retailers and computer chip producers that have been especially sensitive to the trade tensions. — New York Times, "U.S. Delays Some China Tariffs Until Stores Stock Up for Holidays," 13 Aug. 2019 The original index was comprised of 425 industrial stocks, 60 utility names, and 15 railroads. — Ben Carlson, Fortune, "Yes Stocks are Overvalued. But by How Much? Here’s What History Tells Us," 31 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Tax revenues would rise less in nominal terms but much spending (such as on pensions) would keep rising fast, because it was indexed to past inflation. — The Economist, "Argentina’s crisis shows the limits of technocracy," 22 Aug. 2019 The company has already indexed over 2 million shows. — Ashley Carman, The Verge, "Google will start surfacing individual podcast episodes in search results," 8 Aug. 2019 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

These 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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index

Definition of index

Other Words from index

Synonyms for index

Examples of index in a Sentence

First Known Use of index

History and Etymology for index

index

Definition of index

Other Words from index

Synonyms for index

Examples of index in a Sentence

First Known Use of index

History and Etymology for index

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