lagging indicator
noun
a statistical measure, usually an economic indicator, that has a delayed response to changes compared to the rest of a system.
lagging indicators
-
pluralof lagging indicator.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Core and headline PCE inflation are still flashing red in the lagging indicators, but commodity signals are moving in the other direction.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026
For deposit insurance, such a market would almost certainly set rates that reflect leading indicators of risk, such as rapid asset growth, rather than lagging indicators, such as the growth in a bank’s non-performing loans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 13, 2026
They are lagging indicators, reflecting what’s already happened.
From Barron's ● Nov. 16, 2025
These analysts generally contend that current measures of inflation are overstated because of lagging indicators, reflecting cost pressures from over a year ago, that will ebb in summer.
From New York Times ● May 14, 2024
However, experts say those are both lagging indicators that may not show up for weeks after infections spike.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 10, 2022
