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

• barometric, adjective
• baˈrometry, noun
• 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

Now, many of your films have aged really well, which I think is the true barometer for success.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, the SAG Awards are a pretty great barometer of who will take home the Oscar.

From The Daily Beast

The GDP report profits the broadest barometer of economic performance.

From The Daily Beast

A stock market index like the Dow and the SP 500 may not be the best barometer of national well-being.

From The Daily Beast

It's a barometer of how seriously the whole article should be taken.

From The Daily Beast

Might not the sudden fall of the barometer before storms be from a cause similar in some degree to this?

From Project Gutenberg

I found it on all occasions extremely sensible, and very often to predict a change of wind much sooner than the barometer.

From Project Gutenberg

Over the writing-table was a barometer and a storm-glass, while to the left a cosy corner extended round to the fireplace.

From Project Gutenberg

The weather very cold, though the thermometer is at 56°, barometer 29–08; a very heavy swell.

From Project Gutenberg

The race was set for 1.30, and soon after noon all the crews were carefully overhauling their gear and studying the barometer.

From Project Gutenberg