consumer price index

American  

noun

1. an index of the changes in the cost of goods and services to a typical consumer, based on the costs of the same goods and services at a base period. CPI

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consumer price index Cultural  

1. An index published by the government each month of prices for a representative sample of goods and services. The consumer price index was formerly known as the cost-of-living index.

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Etymology

Origin of consumer price index

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Inflation has been relatively tame so far this year, with the consumer price index rising 2.4% on an annual basis in each of the past two months.

From Barron's

Proponents of indexing typically cite the consumer price index, but that’s only one of numerous inflation measures the government calculates.

From Los Angeles Times

The consumer price index showed prices rose 2.4% in February, roughly in line with estimates and matching January’s pace.

From Barron's

The House also replaced its traditional Seattle consumer price index with a slower-growing national CPI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Elsewhere, February’s consumer price index report is due out Wednesday, which will be watched closely for how inflation affects the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate policy.

From Barron's

Related Words

• price index
• retail price index