marker

American  

[mahr-ker] / ˈmɑr kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that marks.

2. something used as a mark or indication, as a bookmark or tombstone.

3. a person who records the scores, points, etc., as in a game or contest.

4. a counter used in card playing.

5. Digital Technology. a navigation pointer or other indicator in a graphical user interface: Place markers at the beginning and end of your selection to trim your video in edit mode.

   Dragging the marker up the sound bar will increase the volume.

   Place markers at the beginning and end of your selection to trim your video in edit mode.

6. Genetics. genetic marker.

7. Psychology. an object, as a book or topcoat left at a library table, used to establish territorial possession in a public place.

8. Linguistics.

   1. an element of a construction, as a coordinating conjunction, that is not a part of either immediate constituent.

   2. an element that indicates the grammatical class or function of a construction.

9. a small radio beacon, automatically operated, used for local navigation of vessels.

10. mile-marker.

11. Also called marker pen,.  Also called marking pen.  a pen designed for making bold, colorful, or indelible marks, as in making signs or identifying objects.

12. Slang.

    1. a debt, especially a gambling debt.

    2. a written or signed promise to pay a debt, especially a gambling debt; a promissory note or IOU.

13. Also called marker crude.  Commerce. a grade of oil on which prices of other crude oils are based.

14. Citizens Band Radio Slang. one's location while driving on a highway, as determined by the nearest milepost.

---

ˈmarker British  

/ ˈmɑːkə /

noun

1. 1. something used for distinguishing or marking

   2. ( as modifier )

      a marker buoy

2. a person or thing that marks

3. a person or object that keeps or shows scores in a game

4. a trait, condition, gene, or substance that indicates the presence of, or a probable increased predisposition to, a medical or psychological disorder See biological marker genetic marker medical marker

---

Etymology

Origin of marker

First recorded in 1480–90; mark ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The adoptee said she would also like people like her to have a marker on their medical records because having to repeat her background to medical professionals "is very, very triggering".

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

CA19-9 levels can rise in non-cancerous conditions like pancreatitis or bile duct obstruction, and some people do not produce the marker at all due to genetic differences.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

The initial goal is to create a diagnostic test to measure olfactory loss—a marker of Covid-19 and other conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

“I’m struck by that in a way the crayon or marker drawing is provisional — there’s no final form to it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Then I uncap the marker and write one more thing.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

Related Words

• flag
• gravestone
• indicator
• pole
• stone
• tombstone