plural indexes or indices
ˈin-də-ˌsēz
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
2
a
: 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
3
a
: 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 3√5 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,
Index
: a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
indexed; indexing; indexes
1
a
: 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
indexer
noun
Articles Related to index
Video
The True Story of the Backward Index
These people needed a computer
Cite this Entry
“Index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/index. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share