# indicator

/ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɝ/ (US) · /ˈɪndɪkˌeɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/indicator
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a sign or signal

noun · CEFR B2

a sign or piece of information that shows the state or level of something.

For teachers: a sign or signal that points to a particular condition or level.

- High house prices are often a good indicator of a strong local economy.
- The sudden drop in consumer spending served as a clear indicator that the public was becoming wary of future inflation.

### 2. economic metric

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a statistic, like the unemployment rate, used to judge how well a country is doing.

For teachers: a statistical value used to measure the current state of an economy or to predict future trends.

- The government looks at several economic indicators before changing interest rates.
- Leading economic indicators suggest that the manufacturing sector is poised for a significant recovery in the coming fiscal quarter.

### 3. vehicle turn signal

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

the flashing light on a car that shows which way you are going to turn.

For teachers: a flashing light on a vehicle used to signal an intended change in direction.

- He forgot to use his indicator when he turned into the driveway.
- The driver failed to engage his right indicator before merging, nearly causing a collision with the motorcyclist in his blind spot.

### 4. measuring device

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a dial, needle, or screen on a machine that shows a measurement.

For teachers: a gauge or instrument that displays a specific measurement or status.

- The temperature indicator on the dashboard started to climb into the red zone.
- Engineers monitored the pressure indicator closely during the test to ensure the pipes did not exceed their safety limits.

### 5. chemical test

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a substance that changes colour to show if a liquid is an acid or a base.

For teachers: a substance that undergoes a visible change, such as a colour shift, to indicate the presence or concentration of a chemical.

- Litmus paper is a common indicator used in school science labs.
- The chemist added a few drops of the indicator to the solution to determine its pH level through a distinct colour transition.

### 6. environmental sign

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

a plant or animal that shows if an environment is healthy or polluted.

For teachers: an organism whose presence, absence, or health reflects the specific environmental conditions of its habitat.

- Frogs are a good indicator of water quality because they are sensitive to pollution.
- The decline of certain lichen species served as a biological indicator of increasing atmospheric nitrogen levels in the forest.

## Examples

- High unemployment is a negative economic indicator.
- The chemist added a few drops of indicator to the solution to see if it was acidic.
- Ecologists monitor the population of certain amphibians as a primary indicator of wetland health, as their permeable skin makes them exceptionally sensitive to chemical pollutants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.