# indicator

Pronunciation: US say "IN-di-kay-tur" /ˈɪn.dɪˌkeɪ.tɚ/; UK/AUS say "IN-di-kay-tuh" /ˈɪn.dɪˌkeɪ.tə(ɹ)/

## Noun

1. A pointer or index that shows the state or existence of something.
   - Simple: Something that points to or shows a fact or condition.
   - _Falling attendance was the first indicator that something had gone wrong._
   - _Customer complaints serve as indicators of deeper problems in a company._
2. A measurable statistic, such as the unemployment rate, used to predict or assess economic trends.
   - Simple: A number, like the jobless rate, that helps people guess where the economy is going.
   - _Analysts treat consumer spending as a reliable indicator of future growth._
   - _Several indicators pointed to a slowdown well before official figures confirmed it._
3. Either of the flashing lights on each side of a vehicle that signal the driver is turning left or right, changing lanes, or similar. *(Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK)*
   - Simple: A flashing light on the side of a car that shows the driver is about to turn or change lanes.
   - _A lorry pulled out without using its indicator, and the cyclist had to brake hard._
   - _Modern cars sound a soft click each time the indicators flash._
4. A meter or gauge that displays a measurement or reading.
   - Simple: A device with a dial that shows a measurement, like speed or pressure.
   - _The cockpit's altitude indicator gave readings in both feet and meters._
   - _Engineers installed a new pressure indicator on the boiler._
5. A substance, such as litmus, used to reveal the concentration of another substance or the progress of a chemical reaction, often by changing color.
   - Simple: A substance, like litmus, that changes color to show how acidic or strong something is.
   - _A chemist adds an indicator to track when the reaction reaches its endpoint._
   - _Different indicators change color over different pH ranges._
6. A plant or animal whose presence reveals the existence of a particular type of environment.
   - Simple: A plant or animal whose presence shows what kind of place or habitat it is.
   - _Mayfly larvae act as an indicator of unpolluted streams._
   - _Certain lichens are reliable indicators of low air pollution._
7. The needle or dial on a meter or gauge that displays its reading.
   - Simple: The needle or dial on a meter that shows the reading.
   - _The indicator swung sharply as the engine revved._
   - _She tapped the gauge, but the indicator stayed frozen at zero._
8. A code word within a cryptic crossword clue that signals the use of a particular wordplay device.
   - Simple: A word in a crossword clue that tells you which word trick to use.
   - _Experienced solvers quickly recognize 'broken' as an anagram indicator._
   - _Without a clear indicator, solvers cannot tell which device the setter intended._
9. A honeyguide; a small bird known for leading honey-seekers to wild bees' nests.
   - Simple: A small African or Asian bird known for leading people and animals to bees' nests.
   - _The indicator flitted from branch to branch, leading the hunters deeper into the bush._
   - _Local foragers follow the indicator's call to find wild honey._

## Origin

From Late Latin indicātor ("one who points out"), from Latin indicō ("point out"). By surface analysis, it is indicate + -or.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/indicator (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).