Definitions for index
ˈɪn dɛks; -dəˌsizin·dex

Princeton's WordNet(3.25 / 12 votes)Rate this definition:

1. index(noun)

   a numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number

2. index, index number, indicant, indicator(noun)

   a number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) derived from a series of observed facts; can reveal relative changes as a function of time

3. exponent, power, index(noun)

   a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself

4. index(noun)

   an alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed

5. index, index finger, forefinger(verb)

   the finger next to the thumb

6. index(verb)

   list in an index

7. index(verb)

   provide with an index

   "index the book"

8. index(verb)

   adjust through indexation

   "The government indexes wages and prices"

GCIDE(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Index(n.)

   A number providing a measure of some quantity derived by a formula, usually a form of averaging, from multiple quantities; -- used mostly in economics; as, the index of leading indicators; the index of industrial production; the consumer price index. See, for example, the consumer price index.

2. Index(n.)

   (computers) A file containing a table with the addresses of data items, arranged for rapid and convenient search for the addresses.

3. Index(n.)

   (computers) A number which serves as a label for a data item and also represents the address of a data item within a table or array.

4. Index(n.)

   (R. C. Ch.), The Index prohibitorius, a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; also called Index of forbidden books and Index Librorum Prohibitorum.

5. Index(n.)

   That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses; as, the increasing unemployment rate is an index of how much the economy has slowed.

6. Index(n.)

   A table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book, usually giving the page on which a particular word or topic may be found; -- usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume. Typically found only in non-fiction books.

7. Index(v. t.)

   (Economics) To adjust (wages, prices, taxes, etc.) automatically so as to compensate for changes in prices, usually as measured by the consumer price index or other economic measure. Its purpose is usually to copensate for inflation.

8. Index(v. t.)

   To insert (a word, name, file folder, etc.) into an index or into an indexed arrangement; as, to index a contract under its date of signing.

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. index(Noun)

   An alphabetical listing of items and their location; for example, the index of a book lists words or expressions and the pages of the book upon which they are to be found.

2. index(Noun)

   The index finger, the forefinger, or other pointer.

3. index(Noun)

   A sign; an indication; a token.

   His son's empty guffaws ... struck him with pain as the indices of a weak mind.

4. index(Noun)

   A type of noun where the meaning of the form changes with respect to the context. E.g., 'Today's newspaper' is an indexical form since its referent will differ depending on the context. See also icon and symbol.

5. index(Noun)

   A single number calculated from an array of prices or of quantities.

6. index(Noun)

   A number representing a property or ratio, a coefficient.

7. index(Noun)

   A raised suffix indicating a power.

8. index(Noun)

   An integer or other key indicating the location of data e.g. within a vector, database table, associative array, or hash table.

9. index(Noun)

   A data structure that improves the performance of operations on a table.

10. index(Verb)

    To arrange an index for something, especially a long text.

11. index(Verb)

    To inventory, to take stock.

Origin: From index, from indico; see indicate.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Index(noun)

   that which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses

2. Index(noun)

   that which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of a watch, a movable finger on a gauge, scale, or other graduated instrument. In printing, a sign used to direct particular attention to a note or paragraph; -- called also fist

3. Index(noun)

   a table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book; -- usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume

4. Index(noun)

   a prologue indicating what follows

5. Index(noun)

   the second digit, that next pollex, in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger

6. Index(noun)

   the figure or letter which shows the power or root of a quantity; the exponent

7. Index(verb)

   to provide with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents

Origin: [L.: cf. F. index. See Indicate, Diction.]

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Index

   An index is a list of words or phrases and associated pointers to where useful material relating to that heading can be found in a document. In a traditional back-of-the-book index the headings will include names of people, places and events, and concepts selected by a person as being relevant and of interest to a possible reader of the book. The pointers are typically page numbers, paragraph numbers or section numbers. In a library catalog the words are authors, titles, subject headings, etc., and the pointers are call numbers. Internet search engines, such as Google, and full text searching help provide access to information but are not as selective as an index, as they provide non-relevant links, and may miss relevant information if it is not phrased in exactly the way they expect.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Index

   in′deks, n. anything that indicates or points out: a hand that directs to anything, as the hour of the day, &c.: the forefinger: alphabetical list of subjects treated of in a book: (math.) the exponent of a power:—pl. Indexes (in′deks-ez), and in math., Indices (in′di-sēz).—v.t. to provide with or place in an index.—ns. In′dex-dig′it, In′dex-fing′er, the forefinger, or in other animals that digit representing the human index.—adjs. Index′ical; In′dexless, without an index.—Index Expurgatorius, in the R.C. Church, an authoritative list of books only to be read in expurgated editions; Index Librorum Expurgandorum, or Index Librorum Prohibitorum, an official list of books which the faithful are absolutely forbidden to read at all under pain of instant excommunication; Index rerum, an index of subjects; Index verborum, an index of words. [L. index, indicis—indicāre, to show.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'index' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2224

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'index' in Nouns Frequency: #892

Anagrams for index »

1. nixed

How to pronounce index?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say index in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of index in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of index in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of index in a Sentence

1. Tara Kuczykowski:

   Index cards, ballpoint pens, and school glue.

2. Zadok Rabinwitz:

   A man's dreams are an index to his greatness.

3. Dave Nadig:

   The S&P 500 is without a doubt the most tracked index in the world.

4. Deven Choksey:

   Index heavyweights, particularly IT and pharma, are finding strong headwinds.

5. Aneesh Srivastava:

   Falls in commodity prices have brought down WPI, CPI (consumer price index) alike.

Images & Illustrations of index

Popularity rank by frequency of use