barometer

American  

[buh-rom-i-ter] / bəˈrɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. Meteorology. any instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

2. anything that indicates changes.

---

barometer British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ 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 Cultural  

1. An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

---

Discover More

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.

Other Word Forms

• barometric
  adjective
• barometrical
  adjective
• barometrically
  adverb
• barometry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of barometer

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

Explanation

A barometer is a device that measures atmospheric pressure. Barometers help meteorologists figure out what the weather is going to be like. Sure, it's technically a weather man's tool — but you can use barometer more generally to describe anything that can be used to forecast or measure something else. The stock market is a barometer for economic health. Your grades are a barometer of how you're doing in school. For the President, a national poll is a barometer of political success. These kinds of barometers tell which way the wind is blowing — just not literally.

Example Sentences

The Chicago Business Barometer is due at 9:45 a.m., followed by leading economic indicators at 10 a.m.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

There is a solid data source of consistently asked questions going back five decades - it is the measure now called the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

The Chicago Business Barometer, compiled by MNI Indicators, tumbled to 36.3 in the month, from 43.8 in October.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

Our own sentiment measure that we track here at the Barron’s Investor Circle, the Vestmo Market Barometer, has flipped more cautious the past two weeks.

From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025

I stretched back in the sun and hummed the song of the brown thrasher and of Barometer, the nuthatch.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George