Origin: 1600-1700 Greek baros weight, pressure + English -meter
1science, earth science, physics an instrument for measuring changes in the air pressure, used to look for weather patterns and to calculate height above sea level2something that shows or gives an idea of changes that are happening: Applications for building permits are a barometer of future construction activity.—barometric /ˌbærəˈmɛtrɪk◂/ adjective—barometrically /-kli/ adverb