marker

American  

[mahr-ker] / ˈmɑr kər /

noun

• markers
  plural

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, 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.

---

marker 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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• markers
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of marker

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

---

Explanation

A marker is an ink-filled pen with a wide tip. Kids often use washable markers, while adults are usually trusted with the permanent type. Permanent markers contain ink that can't be washed away, and they're useful for labeling and marking things like cardboard boxes and file folders. Another kind of marker is a highlighter, which you can use to make important words or phrases in a book stand out with a line of translucent neon ink. A different meaning of marker is "something that marks a route or specific place." Markers along a hiking trail help keep you from getting lost.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

marker markers

This engineered receptor allows immune cells to identify a particular molecular marker on the surface of cancer cells, helping direct their activity toward tumors.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

"Harry Kane didn't always have brilliantly successful loan spells, they are not always a marker of a player," says Speechly.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

In one, she holds up a finger covered in red marker to look like blood, pretending to be a patient who asks how much stitches will cost, and is later shocked by the bill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

My grip strength, which is viewed as a marker of overall health, also didn’t correlate, and the clinician started a thoughtful conversation: Was I fatigued?

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

Nora uncaps the red marker and, in bold letters at the top of the page, writes: “Reasons Joy and Nora Should Be Allowed to Walk Ziggy.”

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

Although emerging evidence suggests compression garments genuinely affect some markers of recovery, this is unlikely to directly restore muscle function.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

In some cases, authorities have taken DNA samples, then buried the bodies with markers in the ground, should families claim them.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

That is because establishing a precise location is also difficult given a lack of satellite-imagery visibility, clear markers and thick foliage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Marine markers can burn up to 3,000 degrees and are extremely toxic, officials added.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

The bad news was that the river destroyed many of the boundary markers, erasing all of the landmarks that told farmers which land was theirs to cultivate.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---