barometer

American  

[buh-rom-i-ter] / bəˈrɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. Meteorology. any instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

2. anything that indicates changes.

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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

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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.

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barometer Cultural  

1. An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

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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

Example Sentences

Many investors and tech analysts are watching the company closely as a barometer for the AI boom-or-bust debate due to the difficulty of the Stargate project.

From The Wall Street Journal

Legislative sessions are still underway in some states, and he pointed to Florida as a potential barometer for where laws on election administration might go in the months and years ahead.

From Salon

Consumer confidence fell two points to minus 21 in March, the lowest point since April last year, according to research group GfK’s barometer, published Friday with the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Weaker consumer confidence tallies with the worsening of sentiment among German firms, as shown by the Ifo Institute’s barometer on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

While other costs such as insurance and services might rise quietly in the background, gas prices are broadcast on street corners, serving as a barometer for the broader economy.

From The Wall Street Journal