barometer

[ buh-rom-i-ter ]

noun

1. Meteorology. any instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. Compare aneroid barometer, mercury barometer.
2. anything that indicates changes.

barometer

/ ˌbærəˈmɛtrɪk; bəˈrɒmɪtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure, usually to determine altitude or weather changes
2. anything that shows change or impending change

   the barometer of social change

barometer

/ bə-rŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure. Barometers are used in determining height above sea level and in forecasting the weather. The two primary types of barometers are the aneroid and the mercury barometer.

barometer

1. An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure .

Notes

In general, when the barometer falls in response to a drop in pressure, bad weather is approaching; when the barometer rises because of an increase in pressure, good weather will follow.

Derived Forms

• baˈrometry, noun
• barometric, adjective
• ˌbaroˈmetrically, adverb

Other Words From

• bar·o·met·ric [bar-, uh, -, me, -trik], baro·metri·cal adjective
• baro·metri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of barometer¹

First recorded in 1655–65; baro- + -meter

Example Sentences

People will just have to start looking elsewhere for a political barometer.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday they take on AC Milan with fixtures against Atalanta and Inter coming up to perhaps provide a better barometer of their progress.

From BBC

Agriculture, which intersects with key issues — the economy, climate change and immigration — is a barometer of where a region and its people are heading.

From Los Angeles Times

Agriculture is an underrated barometer of where a region and its people are heading, since it intersects with so many essential issues: the economy, climate change, immigration.

From Los Angeles Times

Agriculture, which intersects with key issues — the economy, climate change and immigration — is a barometer of where a region and its people are heading.

From Los Angeles Times