barometer

[buh-rom-i-ter]

noun

1. Meteorology.,  any instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

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

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.

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

• barometry noun
• barometric adjective
• barometrically adverb
• barometrical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of barometer¹

First recorded in 1655–65; baro- + -meter

Example Sentences

As the nation’s highest-producing oil and gas state, Texas is a key barometer of the U.S. regulatory environment and whether it has created a cleaner fossil fuel industry.

From Salon

In a healthy democracy, public opinion can be understood as a type of barometer that elected officials use to calibrate their agendas and behaviors.

From Salon

The British Antarctic Survey has described Antarctica as a "barometer of environmental change", as its researchers extract and analyse ice cores to see changes in climate over hundreds of thousands of years.

From BBC

And that was a pretty good barometer for getting an interesting story that was likely to still be topical in a year.

From Los Angeles Times

The barometer of an elite-level centre-back is whether they are in control of the striker they are facing, or vice versa.

From BBC