index number

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. a quantity whose variation over a period of time measures the change in some phenomenon.

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index number British  

noun

1. statistics a statistic indicating the relative change occurring in each successive period of time in the price, volume, or value of a commodity or in a general economic variable, such as the price level, national income, or gross output, with reference to a previous base period conventionally given the number 100

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Etymology

Origin of index number

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

That was much faster than the 2.9% increase in the headline consumer-price index number.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 15, 2025

The index compares the cost of each of these meats locally with the survey average, and combines the four to arrive at an index number.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2021

If we list each value, or observation, in a column, you can give each one an index number.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

It seemed that the first lawyer for Mr. Vereen had not recognized the importance of an old court index number that somehow was in his own legal papers.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2016

Dun's index number is chosen partly because it is complete for 1916, and partly because it is weighted in accordance with the consumption of different classes of goods, and so particularly suited to this inquiry.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.