barometer

noun

ba·rom·e·ter bə-ˈrä-mə-tər How to pronounce barometer (audio)

: an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting in forecasting weather and for determining altitude (see altitude sense 1a)

: something that indicates fluctuations (as in public opinion)

housing sales and other economic barometers

: standard, test

a barometer to measure high school talent

Jeff Fellenzer

barometric

ˌber-ə-ˈme-trik How to pronounce barometer (audio)

ˌba-rə-

adjective

barometrically

ˌber-ə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce barometer (audio)

adverb

barometry

bə-ˈrä-mə-trē How to pronounce barometer (audio)

noun

Did you know?

When did barometer become figurative?

Originally, barometer referred to an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. Although this meaning is still very much in use, the word has taken on a strongly figurative sense denoting something that signals changes in conditions not necessarily related to the weather. This extended use of barometer has existed since at least the early 18th century, when Isaac Bickerstaff used it in an article in The Tatler: “I have an Engine in my Study, which is a Sort of a Political Barometer, or, to speak more intelligibly, a State Weather-Glass.”

Example Sentences

a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged

Recent Examples on the Web Anyone can go out and beat a bad team or take the series, but this is the barometer.

Joe Noga, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 The presence of songbirds is a barometer for the health of an ecosystem, and their numbers also seem to be considerably reduced from several years ago.

Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Aug. 2022 The season is also a barometer for the crucial holiday shopping season, West said.

Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 Head coach Ime Udoka has consistently preached the importance of making quick decisions and moving the ball, and Tatum’s ability to do so is often a barometer for how the Celtics fare.

Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 Turnovers have been a barometer for Phoenix in this series.

Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 14 May 2022 Early in the Williams sisters’ professional careers, the beads were a barometer for intensity when either sister hit the ball.

Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2022 Collins, who was among the few Senate Republicans to vote to convict Trump in his impeachment trial after the insurrection, may not be a barometer for most of the party.

Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 31 Jan. 2022 But regular-season action will be the true barometer for Green Bay's chances Sunday against Kansas City and Love's prospects as a reliable starting quarterback.

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2021 See More

单词	barometers
释义	barometer noun ba·rom·e·ter bə-ˈrä-mə-tər 1 : an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting in forecasting weather and for determining altitude (see altitude sense 1a) 2 : something that indicates fluctuations (as in public opinion) housing sales and other economic barometers 3 : standard, test a barometer to measure high school talent Jeff Fellenzer barometric ˌber-ə-ˈme-trik ˌba-rə- adjective barometrically ˌber-ə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē adverb barometry bə-ˈrä-mə-trē noun Did you know? When did barometer become figurative? Originally, barometer referred to an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. Although this meaning is still very much in use, the word has taken on a strongly figurative sense denoting something that signals changes in conditions not necessarily related to the weather. This extended use of barometer has existed since at least the early 18th century, when Isaac Bickerstaff used it in an article in The Tatler: “I have an Engine in my Study, which is a Sort of a Political Barometer, or, to speak more intelligibly, a State Weather-Glass.” Synonyms bar benchmark criterion gold standard grade mark measure metric par standard touchstone yardstick See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged Recent Examples on the Web Anyone can go out and beat a bad team or take the series, but this is the barometer. Joe Noga, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 The presence of songbirds is a barometer for the health of an ecosystem, and their numbers also seem to be considerably reduced from several years ago. Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Aug. 2022 The season is also a barometer for the crucial holiday shopping season, West said. Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 Head coach Ime Udoka has consistently preached the importance of making quick decisions and moving the ball, and Tatum’s ability to do so is often a barometer for how the Celtics fare. Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 Turnovers have been a barometer for Phoenix in this series. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 14 May 2022 Early in the Williams sisters’ professional careers, the beads were a barometer for intensity when either sister hit the ball. Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2022 Collins, who was among the few Senate Republicans to vote to convict Trump in his impeachment trial after the insurrection, may not be a barometer for most of the party. Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 31 Jan. 2022 But regular-season action will be the true barometer for Green Bay's chances Sunday against Kansas City and Love's prospects as a reliable starting quarterback. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2021 See More Word History First Known Use 1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition barometer noun ba·rom·e·ter bə-ˈrä-mə-tər : an instrument that measures air pressure and is used to forecast changes in the weather barometers noun plural of barometer as in standards something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance standards criteria benchmarks metrics criterions yardsticks measures touchstones examples grades pars norms bars gold standards rules instances averages marks pinnacles cases zeniths summits meridians peaks apexes acmes apices Antonyms & Near Antonyms abnormalities deviations aberrations
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barometer

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun