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
While trade payment data may play a minor role in a broader risk management approach, it cannot be treated as a primary indicator of counterparty strength.
—
Charlie Minutella, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Experts have said Tren de Aragua doesn’t typically use tattoos as gang markers, and relying on them as indicators of gang ties risks serious miscarriages of justice.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Abnormal values can be an indicator of heart rhythm problems, including the potentially fatal condition Torsades de Pointes (TdP).
—New Atlas, 31 July 2025
Eli Lilly saw the trial results as an indicator that clinicians should choose Mounjaro for the patient group.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for indicator
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Charlie Minutella, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Experts have said Tren de Aragua doesn’t typically use tattoos as gang markers, and relying on them as indicators of gang ties risks serious miscarriages of justice.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Abnormal values can be an indicator of heart rhythm problems, including the potentially fatal condition Torsades de Pointes (TdP).
—New Atlas, 31 July 2025
Eli Lilly saw the trial results as an indicator that clinicians should choose Mounjaro for the patient group.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 31 July 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 6 Aug. 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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