Meaning & use

index

noun·Academic

An alphabetical list of names, subjects, or terms at the end of a book, showing where each is discussed.

See it in a sentence

I checked the index to find every page that mentioned the French Revolution.

The textbook's index made it easy to locate the chapter on cell division.

A note on using this word

In finance, "index" also names a measure that tracks changes in a group of related values, such as a stock market index.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To create a systematic list or record of items so they can be found and referenced easily.

The librarian spent weeks indexing the archive's newly donated letters.

3. noun

A number that measures changes in the price or value of a group of related items over time.

The stock index fell sharply after the announcement of higher interest rates.

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