indicator

[ in-di-key-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that indicates, signals, or points out.
2. a pointing or directing mechanism, as a pointer on the dial of an instrument to show pressure, temperature, speed, volume, etc., or a moveable icon in the graphical user interface of a computer or other device: Move the indicator to the edge of the browser and drag to resize the window.

   The fuel indicator was pointing to empty.

   Move the indicator to the edge of the browser and drag to resize the window.

3. an instrument that indicates the condition of a machine or the like.
4. an instrument for measuring and recording variations of pressure in the cylinder of an engine.
5. Chemistry.
   1. a substance, as litmus, that indicates the presence or concentration of a certain constituent.
   2. a substance often used in a titration to indicate the point at which the reaction is complete.
6. Ecology. a plant, animal, or species that indicates, by its presence in a given area, the existence of certain environmental conditions.

indicator

/ ˈɪndɪˌkeɪtə /

noun

1. See economic indicator
   something that provides an indication, esp of trends See economic indicator
2. a device to attract attention, such as the pointer of a gauge or a warning lamp
3. an instrument that displays certain operating conditions in a machine, such as a gauge showing temperature, speed, pressure, etc
4. 1. a device that records or registers something, such as the movements of a lift, or that shows information, such as arrival and departure times of trains
   2. ( as modifier )

      indicator light

5. Also calledblinker a device for indicating that a motor vehicle is about to turn left or right, esp two pairs of lights that flash when operated or a pair of trafficators
6. Also calleddial gauge a delicate measuring instrument used to determine small differences in the height of mechanical components. It consists of a spring-loaded plunger that operates a pointer moving over a circular scale
7. chem
   1. a substance used in titrations to indicate the completion of a chemical reaction, usually by a change of colour
   2. a substance, such as litmus, that indicates the presence of an acid or alkali
8. Also calledindicator species ecology
   1. a plant or animal species that thrives only under particular environmental conditions and therefore indicates these conditions where it is found
   2. a species of plant or animal whose well-being confirms the well-being of other species in the area

indicator

/ ĭn′dĭ-kā′tər /

1. A chemical compound that changes color and structure when exposed to certain conditions and is therefore useful for chemical tests. Litmus, for example, is an indicator that becomes red in the presence of acids and blue in the presence of bases.

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicator¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Late Latin indicātor, equivalent to Latin indicā(re) “to make known, point out” + -tor; indicate, -tor

Example Sentences

A person’s biological age is a way of assessing how rapidly a person is aging based on a number of indicators.

From Fortune

Asia is a good indicator, it’s coming out a bit faster than Europe, those trends are stimulating the market.

From Digiday

The proposed legislation would extend the weekly $600 unemployment benefits for those who qualify “for the duration of the recession by tying continued enhanced unemployment insurance to the health crisis and economic indicators.”

From Fortune

Without those indicators of myocarditis, it’s hard to say if the heart had this condition, she says.

From Science News

This includes adding any new individual race polling, changes in the national environment and special election environment variables, quarterly and 48-hour FEC reports, new economic indicators, primary election outcomes and candidate status changes.

From Ozy

But those few protestors were an indicator of how much has changed since the Cuban Revolution of 1959.

From The Daily Beast

In a country with a constitution that values secularism, religion is still the prime indicator of morality and goodness.

From The Daily Beast

The forums and message boards all cite “waking up to loose strands on your pillow” as a real indicator of significant hair loss.

From The Daily Beast

And if the reaction from community leaders around the country is any indicator, others are proud as well.

From The Daily Beast

Dawkins is an adept cultural fire-conductor; the title of his bestselling book The God Delusion gives a clear indicator why.

From The Daily Beast

On the way we were greatly excited to see the bladder of an indicator net smoking.

From Project Gutenberg

To this general swell pedal (and its corresponding indicator key) any or all of the other swell pedals may be coupled at will.

From Project Gutenberg

By means of this visible indicator key the organist is always aware of the position of the swell shutters.

From Project Gutenberg

As the organist closes his pedal, the indicator key again moves upward into its normal position.

From Project Gutenberg

The “hour glass” was another form of time indicator, which was capable of uniform, though extremely limited, action.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barometer
• gauge
• index
• signal
• symbol