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Indexing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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indexing

[หˆษชndษ›ksษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

data management

The process of organizing data into categories for easy retrieval and analysis. It involves creating indexes that point to the location of specific data within a database or other storage system.

Synonyms

cataloging, categorizing, classifying.

Examples of usage

  • Indexing allows for faster search and retrieval of information.
  • Search engines use indexing to quickly find relevant web pages.
Context #2 | Verb

search engines

The action of analyzing web pages and adding them to a search engine's index for retrieval. It involves scanning the content of a page and assigning keywords for efficient searching.

Synonyms

cataloging, categorizing, crawling.

Examples of usage

  • Website owners need to focus on indexing their content for better search engine visibility.
  • Google's algorithm prioritizes well-indexed pages in search results.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Latin 'index', meaning 'pointer' or 'one that points out'.
  • Indexing has been around since ancient libraries like the Library of Alexandria, where scrolls were organized for easy access.
  • In the 18th century, indexing systems improved with the advent of printed catalogs in libraries.

Technology

  • In computing, indexing is crucial for databases, as it drastically speeds up searching and retrieving data.
  • Search engines like Google use complex indexing algorithms to organize billions of web pages for quick retrieval.
  • The introduction of inverted indexing has revolutionized the way search engines operate by allowing fast full-text searches.

Library Science

  • Library cataloging standards like MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) have been developed to help with indexing books and resources.
  • Controlled vocabularies and subject headings aid in consistent indexing, helping users find materials efficiently.
  • With the rise of digital media, indexing now includes metadata, which describes the content and context of digital assets.

Psychology

  • Indexing in the brain relates to how we store and retrieve memories, much like a library organizes information.
  • The way we categorize information influences how easily we can recall it when needed.
  • Cognitive load theory suggests that effective indexing (like summarizing notes) improves our learning and memory retention.

Business

  • In finance, indexing refers to a method of tracking the performance of a group of assets, like stock market indices.
  • Index funds allow investors to purchase a small piece of many different stocks to minimize risk and diversify their portfolios.
  • Companies often use indexing strategies in their operations to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Origin of 'indexing'

The term 'indexing' originated from the Latin word 'index', meaning 'pointer' or 'indicator'. It has been widely used in the context of information organization and retrieval since the advent of databases and search engines.

See also: index, indexable.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,364, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.