Indicator
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3
Context Matters
Indicator's meaning changes with context; it may refer to symptoms in health or trends in economics. Rising unemployment rates are a worrying economic indicator.
Pro Tip 2/3
Broad Usage
The term is used in daily life as well as specialized fields to point out critical information. Dark clouds are an indicator that rain might be coming.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not Always Visible
Indicators may be intangible, like a feeling indicating something is wrong. A sudden feeling of anxiety was an indicator that he was nervous about the test.