isobar

[ ahy-suh-bahr ]
See synonyms for isobar on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Meteorology. a line drawn on a weather map or chart that connects points at which the barometric pressure is the same.

  2. Also i·so·bare [ahy-suh-bair]. /ˈaɪ səˌbɛər/. Physics, Chemistry. one of two or more atoms having equal atomic weights but different atomic numbers.

Origin of isobar

1
First recorded in 1860–65; from Greek isobarḗs “of equal weight,” from ísos (see iso-) + báros “weight” (see bar3)

Other words from isobar

  • i·so·bar·ism, noun

Words Nearby isobar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use isobar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for isobar

isobar

/ (ˈaɪsəʊˌbɑː) /


noun
  1. a line on a map connecting places of equal atmospheric pressure, usually reduced to sea level for purposes of comparison, at a given time or period

  2. physics any of two or more atoms that have the same mass number but different atomic numbers: tin-115 and indium-115 are isobars Compare isotope

Origin of isobar

1
C19: from Greek isobarēs of equal weight, from iso- + baros weight

Derived forms of isobar

  • isobarism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for isobar

isobar

[ īsə-bär′ ]


  1. A line drawn on a weather map connecting places having the same atmospheric pressure. The distance between isobars indicates the barometric gradient (the degree of change in atmospheric pressure) across the region shown on the map. When the lines are close together, a strong pressure gradient is indicated, creating conditions for strong winds. When the lines are far apart, a weak pressure gradient is indicated and calm weather is forecast.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.