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
The hair change doesn't appear to be a permanent one, if her Instagram caption is any indicator.
—
Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
For instance, completed evaluations and concluded formal negotiations are both leading indicators in a purchase process.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In that supply, which provides about 10 percent of the city’s drinking water, levels of chloride — a chemical found in salt and an indicator of salinity — tripled over the last 30 years.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
What To Know Paul warned that, if history is any indicator, tariffs won't play out well for the in remarks reported by on Wednesday.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indicator
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Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
For instance, completed evaluations and concluded formal negotiations are both leading indicators in a purchase process.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
In that supply, which provides about 10 percent of the city’s drinking water, levels of chloride — a chemical found in salt and an indicator of salinity — tripled over the last 30 years.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
What To Know Paul warned that, if history is any indicator, tariffs won't play out well for the in remarks reported by on Wednesday.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 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 9 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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