consumer price index

noun

1. an index of the changes in the cost of goods and services to a typical consumer, based on the costs of the same goods and services at a base period. : CPI

consumer price index

1. An index published by the government each month of prices for a representative sample of goods and services. The consumer price index was formerly known as the cost-of-living index.

Word History and Origins

Origin of consumer price index¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Gathering information about local goods for sale in order to develop a targeted Consumer Price Index (CPI).

From The Daily Beast

Index Social Security benefits to the so-called "chained" consumer price index.

From The Daily Beast

Over the past 12 months, the consumer price index (CPI) has risen a scant 1.4 percent.

From The Daily Beast

The first is “headline” CPI, which is the entire consumer price index—i.e., all goods and services including food and energy.

From The Daily Beast

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday that the consumer price index was unchanged in July.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• price index
• retail price index