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

The price of the basket’s contents are factored into a consumer price index, which helps measure inflation.

From Quartz

Other snapshots of the consumer price index show how spending habits are changing as people resume their pre-pandemic spending habits.

From Washington Post

The consumer price index released earlier this month is based on a survey of what households buy, while the figures released Friday are based on surveys of what businesses are selling.

From Washington Post

Both the producer price index and the consumer price index for March showed upward price pressure beginning to materialize, Speakman wrote.

From Washington Post

Services make up about 60% of the overall consumer price index and 75% of the core measure, which excludes food and energy.

From Fortune

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