indicator

noun

in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce indicator (audio)
Synonyms of indicator
1
: one that indicates: such as
a
: an index hand (as on a dial) : pointer
b(1)
: gauge sense 2b, dial sense 1a
(2)
: an instrument for automatically making a diagram that indicates the pressure in and volume of the working fluid of an engine throughout the cycle
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
: tracer sense 4b
4
: an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions
indicatory
in-ˈdi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce indicator (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of indicator

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pastries containing squash for which there is a poster indicating a shelf life of two days under refrigeration, were for sale and at room temperature without time-mark indicators to be discarded. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Since the advent of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, the list of possible indicators that the AI boom was about to go bust is long and keeps getting longer, leaving Wall Street asking each time if the end is finally near. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 The major difference is the old North Flag had a power reserve indicator, whereas the new one ditches that in favor of a GMT complication. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 Microsoft responds to malicious AI download campaign Microsoft also responded to CyberGuy's request for comment, confirming that its security protections identify the malicious indicators described in the research. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indicator

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indicator was in 1666

Phrases Containing indicator

Rhymes for indicator

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Browse Nearby Words

indicative
indicator
indicator card
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Cite this Entry

“Indicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicator. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

indicator

noun
in·​di·​ca·​tor ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər How to pronounce indicator (audio)
1
: one that indicates: as
a
: a pointer on a dial or scale
b
: gauge entry 1 sense 2a
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 How to pronounce indicator (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on indicator

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indicator

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