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

• baˈrometry, noun
• barometric, adjective
• 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

If that pattern holds true in 2022, the 2020 presidential results are probably not the best barometer of the partisanship of these states.

From FiveThirtyEight

Let’s start by saying Rivers is certainly in the Hall of Fame conversation, particularly as it pertains to a common barometer.

From Washington Post

Add to that topographical maps, maps of over 2,000 ski resorts, multiple global positioning systems, a compass, a barometer and a gyroscope, and you’re ready to go anywhere.

From Popular-Science

Launched in 1969, the Hang Seng index is the barometer of Hong Kong’s stock market, made up of the city’s largest and most liquid companies.

From Quartz

All together, the watch uses its sensors—the barometer, accelerometer, and GPS—to figure out what activity you’re doing.

From Popular-Science

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