Dictionary
indicator
noun in·di·ca·tor \ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər\
: a sign that shows the condition or existence of something
: a pointer or light that shows the state or condition of something
: a device that shows a measurement
Full Definition of INDICATOR
1
2
a : a substance (as litmus) used to show visually (as by change of color) the condition of a solution with respect to the presence of a particular material (as a free acid or alkali) b : tracer 4b
3
: an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions
4
: any of a group of statistical values (as level of employment) that taken together give an indication of the health of the economy
— in·dic·a·to·ry \in-ˈdi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
See indicator defined for English-language learners
See indicator defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of INDICATOR
1666
Rhymes with INDICATOR
abdicator, abnegator, activator, actuator, adulator, advocator, agitator, alligator, allocator, animator, annotator, applicator, arbitrator, aspirator, aviator, brachiator, buccinator, calculator, calibrator, captivator, carburetor, castigator, circulator, commentator, commutator, compensator, compurgator, concentrator, confiscator, congregator, consecrator, consummator, contemplator, corporator, correlator, cultivator, decorator, defalcator, delegator, demonstrator, denigrator, depredator, desecrater, designator, detonator, deviator, dissipater, dominator, dura mater, educator, elevator, emulator, escalator, estimator, excavator, explicator, expurgator, extirpator, fabricator, fascinator, figure skater, flocculator, formulator, fornicator, fractionator, fumigator, generator, gladiator, hesitater, hibernator, imitator, immolator, impregnator, incubator, infiltrator, in-line skater, innovator, inhalator, inspirator, instigator, insulator, integrator, lacrimator, liberator, liquidator, literator, lubricator, macerator, masticator, mediator, mitigator, moderator, modulator, motivator, mutilator, navigator, nomenclator, nominator, numerator, obturator, operator, orchestrator, oscillator, peculator, percolator, perforator, perpetrator, pia mater, pollinator, postulator, procreator, procurator, promulgator, propagator, punctuator, radiator, re-creator, remonstrator, renovator, resonator, respirator, revelator, roller skater, rubricator, rusticator, salivator, second-rater, selling-plater, separator, simulator, stimulator, subjugator, Sunset Crater, syncopator, syndicator, tabulator, terminator, vaccinator, vacillator, valuator, venerator, ventilator, vindicator, violator, vitiator
INDICATOR Defined for Kids
indicator
noun in·di·ca·tor \ˈin-də-ˌkā-tər\
Definition of INDICATOR for Kids
1
: a sign that shows or suggests the condition or existence of something
2
: a pointer on a dial or scale
Medical Dictionary
indicator
noun in·di·ca·tor \ˈin-də-ˌkāt-ər\
Medical Definition of INDICATOR
: a substance (as a dye) used to show visually usually by its capacity for color change the condition of a solution with respect to the presence of free acid or alkali or some other substance (as in detecting the end point of a titration) <litmus and phenolphthalein are acid-base indicators>
Learn More About INDICATOR
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: indicator cardPrevious Word in the Dictionary: indicative All Words Near: indicator
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up indicator? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).