- a person or thing that indicates.
- a pointing or directing device, as a pointer on the dial of an instrument to show pressure, temperature, speed, volume, or the like.
- an instrument that indicates the condition of a machine or the like.
- an instrument for measuring and recording variations of pressure in the cylinder of an engine.
- Ecology. a plant, animal, or species that indicates, by its presence in a given area, the existence of certain environmental conditions.
Origin of indicator
Examples from the Web for indicator
But those few protestors were an indicator of how much has changed since the Cuban Revolution of 1959.Aging Cuban Exiles And Their Lawmakers Bypassed by White House
December 17, 2014
And if the reaction from community leaders around the country is any indicator, others are proud as well.Eric Holder Exit Interview: Why He’ll Always Be an African American Icon
September 26, 2014
The election result will also be an indicator of whether Erdogan will stand in presidential elections on August 10.Gezi Park Teen’s Death Rocks Turkey
March 13, 2014
In fact, Fitzpatrick wore no tie at all, one indicator that he long ago left the reservation.Whitey Bulger’s Defense to Reveal Widespread FBI Complicity
July 30, 2013
The Daily Dot suggests the app is an indicator that society has forgotten how to communicate verbally.Bang With Friends: Facebook Sex App Creators Talk Controversial Product
January 29, 2013
They would as soon have cut their throats as leave the indicator unguarded.
Morse looked away, and Edwardson automatically watched the indicator.
The indicator showed that we were traveling only sixty miles an hour.
An indicator light, a switch and a knob appeared to be the only controls.Toy Shop
Henry Maxwell Dempsey
He glanced down at the indicator in front of him, which had begun to glow.Ministry of Disturbance
Henry Beam Piper
- something that provides an indication, esp of trendsSee economic indicator
- a device to attract attention, such as the pointer of a gauge or a warning lamp
- an instrument that displays certain operating conditions in a machine, such as a gauge showing temperature, speed, pressure, etc
- 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
- (as modifier)indicator light
- 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
- 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
- a substance used in titrations to indicate the completion of a chemical reaction, usually by a change of colour
- a substance, such as litmus, that indicates the presence of an acid or alkali
- Also called: indicator species ecology
- a plant or animal species that thrives only under particular environmental conditions and therefore indicates these conditions where it is found
- a species of plant or animal whose well-being confirms the well-being of other species in the area
Word Origin and History for indicator
1660s, from Late Latin indicator, agent noun from indicare (see indication). As a finger muscle, from 1690s.
- One that indicates, especially a pointer or an index.
- An instrument used to monitor the operation or condition of an engine, an electrical network, or another physical system; a meter or gauge.
- The needle, dial, or other registering device on such an instrument.
- Any of various substances, such as litmus or phenolphthalein, that indicate the presence, absence, or concentration of another substance or the degree of reaction between substances by means of a characteristic change, especially in color.
- 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.