indicator

American  

[in-di-key-ter] / ˈɪn dɪˌkeɪ tər /

noun

indicators plural

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.

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indicator British  

/ ˈɪndɪˌkeɪtə /

noun

1. 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 called: blinker.  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 called: dial 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 called: indicator 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

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indicator Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• indicators
  plural

Etymology

Origin of indicator

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

Explanation

If you're familiar with the verb to "indicate," then indicator should be no problem. An indicator points to, suggests, or shows something. The arrow on a street sign is an indicator telling you which way to go. "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!" In other words, temperature is only one indicator of how it feels outside. Air-pressure, humidity, wind-chill, and cloud cover are other important indicators of weather conditions. You might hear a lot from newscasters about "economic indicators." These are figures, such as the rate of unemployment or inflation, that indicate where we're headed economically. Good or bad, we need reliable indicators if we're going to recover economically. Not all the indicators say the same thing: some say we're going to be OK sooner than others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

indicator indicators

The number of people who have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet reached 9.4 million in November 2025, the highest level since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking that indicator in 1994.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

Businesses and bureaucrats got an early indicator this week of whether the World Cup was worth the cost for Los Angeles—beer sales.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

"We've had 20 years of really focusing on the carbon cycle and the carbon footprint is now a critical key performance indicator in every area of business," Truelove explained.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Labor market data on Tuesday will also be a key indicator ahead of the BOE’s next rate decision on July 30.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

I developed an eye for measuring how full a silver-looking ladle of flour, mash, meal, sugar or com had to be to push the scale indicator over to eight ounces or one pound.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

"What we have today, by all indicators, is a much sounder picture" since 2023, Georgieva told a joint press conference with Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Researchers plan to combine detailed cognitive testing with brain imaging, blood biomarkers, genetics, neuropathology, immune profiling, sleep and activity monitoring, social and environmental measurements, and other indicators of whole-person health.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

A trash bag in the garage and some of its contents also tested positive for indicators of blood, she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

It’s a case where technical indicators seemed to have worked.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

She’d put me on her lap and let me steer and work the indicators while she worked the pedals and the stick shift.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Related Words

• barometer
• gauge
• index
• signal
• symbol