marker
Americannoun
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markers
plural
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a person or thing that marks.
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something used as a mark or indication, as a bookmark or tombstone.
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a person who records the scores, points, etc., as in a game or contest.
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a counter used in card playing.
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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.
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Genetics. genetic marker.
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Psychology. an object, as a book or topcoat left at a library table, used to establish territorial possession in a public place.
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Linguistics.
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an element of a construction, as a coordinating conjunction, that is not a part of either immediate constituent.
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an element that indicates the grammatical class or function of a construction.
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a small radio beacon, automatically operated, used for local navigation of vessels.
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Also called marker pen,. Also called marking pen. a pen designed for making bold, colorful, or indelible marks, as in making signs or identifying objects.
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Slang.
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a debt, especially a gambling debt.
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a written or signed promise to pay a debt, especially a gambling debt; a promissory note or IOU.
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Also called marker crude. Commerce. a grade of oil on which prices of other crude oils are based.
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Citizens Band Radio Slang. one's location while driving on a highway, as determined by the nearest milepost.
noun
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something used for distinguishing or marking
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( as modifier )
a marker buoy
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a person or thing that marks
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a person or object that keeps or shows scores in a game
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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
Etymology
Origin of marker
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Risk tolerance is the subjective marker in this trio.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
The lime mountaineering boots worn by an Indian climber who died in 1996 have been a grim trail marker for many climbers on their way up the world's highest peak ever since.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
One marker: The Federal Trade Commission received 1,626 immigration service fraud complaints in 2025, up from 1,315 the year before and 623 reports in 2023.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
It’s an important marker for Mr. Warsh to lay down, since the Fed periodically faces the temptation of outside economists arguing it should fudge the target.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
It doesn’t fade like marker or paint would.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
Volunteers also showed improved blood sugar control and lower levels of inflammatory markers.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026
Although GPS satellites are U.S.-owned military hardware, the reference frame relies on an international patchwork of aging radio-telescopes staring at quasars, laser-ranging stations and physical ground markers anchored to shifting tectonic plates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The number of achievement markers have grown in recent years, according to Credential Engine, a nonprofit studying the wide world of work-related qualifications.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
In a response to AFP on X, Google said images created with the feature include SynthID digital watermarks, invisible markers embedded in media generated using the company's artificial intelligence tools.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
“There are markers floating around if you want to write how P.J. should personalize them.”
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
