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

Inflation is causing the price of many basic food and household goods to increase; in July, the consumer price index rose by 2.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From Salon

Data on Saturday showed China's consumer price index dropped 0.1 percent in April, the third month in a row of decline as consumers hold back from spending and businesses drop prices to compete for customers.

From BBC

The spike has contributed to an overall rise in grocery prices, which increased half a percent last month, the Labor Department’s consumer price index report released this week found.

From Los Angeles Times

As of December, overall food inflation was 2.5% year over year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index summary.

From Salon

Those increases would have been tied to the consumer price index, according to city policy analysts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• price index 
• retail price index