consumer price index
noun
: an index measuring the change in the cost of typical wage-earner purchases of goods and services expressed as a percentage of the cost of these same goods and services in some base period
—abbreviation CPI
called also cost-of-living index
Examples of consumer price index in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next week will bring some major inflation data, most importantly the March reading of the consumer price index on Friday.
—
Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
The consumer price index for all urban consumers increased 2.4% in February from a year earlier, while pet services — including veterinary care — jumped 5.1%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
—Emily Forgash, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the promising consumer price index print that found both headline and core inflation were at five-year lows in February was based on data from just before President Donald Trump initiated his incursion into Iran.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
The report assumed the consumer price index at about 3% and looked at what the tradeoffs would be.
—Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
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Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
The consumer price index for all urban consumers increased 2.4% in February from a year earlier, while pet services — including veterinary care — jumped 5.1%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
—Emily Forgash, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the promising consumer price index print that found both headline and core inflation were at five-year lows in February was based on data from just before President Donald Trump initiated his incursion into Iran.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
The report assumed the consumer price index at about 3% and looked at what the tradeoffs would be.
—Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consumer price index
Cite this Entry
“Consumer price index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumer%20price%20index. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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