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Definition of dial indicator
dial indicator
Plural:dial indicators
• noun
1
A precision measuring instrument featuring a clock-like face with a pointer, used in mechanical engineering, machining, and metrology to measure small linear distances or verify the alignment of parts.
Example
"The machinist mounted a dial indicator on the lathe to ensure the metal rod was perfectly centered before beginning the final cut."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for dial indicator• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dial indicator. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dial%20indicator