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

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 • Mar. 31, 2026

The Adoption UK's 2025 barometer survey found 42% of respondents said they are facing severe challenges or in crisis - this figure is up from 38% the year before.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

A Socialist candidate was leading in Paris while the far right looked strong in several southern cities as projections arrived from first-round local elections Sunday, seen as a political barometer ahead of France's presidential polls.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

And as artificial intelligence and studio consolidation rock the business, the Oscars are an even more important barometer of the health of the movies themselves.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

The Torricellian barometer was the first experimental apparatus around which a normal science developed.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton