Indicator Meaning

UK /ˈɪn.dɪ.keɪ.tə/
US /ˈɪn.dɪ.keɪ.tɚ/
Word Definition
indicator meaning

Indicator Definition & Usage

noun

A device, signal, or object used to convey information or to signal a particular state or condition.

Examples

  • "The fuel gauge on the dashboard is an important indicator of how much fuel is left in the car."
  • "Economic indicators such as GDP growth and unemployment rates help measure the health of a country's economy."
  • "The thermometer is a key indicator of the room's temperature."
  • "She looked for indicators of his mood, such as his posture and tone of voice."
  • "The traffic light serves as an indicator for drivers to stop or go."
noun

A variable or measurement used in technical fields (such as economics, science, or engineering) to reflect the state or progress of a system or process.

Examples

  • "In statistics, an indicator is a variable that represents a phenomenon or trend."
  • "Inflation is often used as an indicator of an overheating economy."
  • "Scientists use air quality indicators to assess pollution levels in cities."
  • "In project management, milestones are key indicators of progress toward completing the project."
  • "The indicator light on the server shows that the system is currently overheating."

Cultural Context

The word 'indicator' is derived from the Latin word 'indicare,' meaning 'to point out' or 'to show.' Over time, its usage has expanded into a wide range of fields including economics, technology, and everyday life. In many cultures, indicators (such as road signs, clocks, or gauges) are essential tools for navigation and decision-making.

The Indicator of Change

Story

The Indicator of Change

On a quiet morning, Clara sat in her car, staring at the dashboard. The needle on the fuel gauge was dangerously close to empty, a clear indicator that she needed to stop at a gas station soon. But as she glanced at the speedometer, she noticed something unusual: the needle was trembling slightly. It wasn't a major issue, but it was enough to make her wonder if her car was starting to show signs of wear. She arrived at work and logged onto her computer, where an email alert popped up on her screen. The email contained the latest economic indicators from the government—unemployment was down, but inflation was on the rise. Clara had always found these indicators fascinating. As a business analyst, she relied on such data to help her company plan for the next quarter. Later that afternoon, Clara met her colleague, James, in the break room. He had a new project update to share, and she could tell from his body language that something was off. His posture was slumped, his voice quieter than usual—clear indicators that he was stressed. Clara could relate. The same indicators often appeared when she was overwhelmed by deadlines. But despite the stressful day, Clara's mood lifted when she received a text from her friend, Emily, who had recently launched a new app. Emily sent her a screenshot of the app's dashboard, which included a variety of indicators for user activity and engagement. Clara was impressed. The clean, intuitive design was a perfect reflection of the app's success. As the sun set and Clara drove home, she paid extra attention to the dashboard's indicators. This time, the fuel gauge wasn’t the only thing she was monitoring. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that indicators—whether in business, technology, or even personal life—had a way of pointing to larger trends and changes. And sometimes, recognizing them early could make all the difference.

The Indicator of Change