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
And while the government shutdown has put several key economic indicators on hold, the Labor Department released the consumer price index for September, which ticked higher but came in below forecasts.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
That shift is fueling speculation that households could soon feel a broader pinch, as small, essential goods often begin reflecting economic strain before major indicators do.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The bad news is that, to date, there's no distinct biomarker for NCGS, with both zonulin (gut permeability) or inflammatory cytokine levels proving too inconsistent to be seen as reliable indicators.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
However, featuring her image so prominently in the promotional art for the specific episode on the official streaming partner's platform is a strong indicator that plans involving her are, at the very least, under consideration or already in motion.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indicator
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Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
That shift is fueling speculation that households could soon feel a broader pinch, as small, essential goods often begin reflecting economic strain before major indicators do.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The bad news is that, to date, there's no distinct biomarker for NCGS, with both zonulin (gut permeability) or inflammatory cytokine levels proving too inconsistent to be seen as reliable indicators.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
However, featuring her image so prominently in the promotional art for the specific episode on the official streaming partner's platform is a strong indicator that plans involving her are, at the very least, under consideration or already in motion.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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