barometer

noun

ba·​rom·​e·​ter bə-ˈrä-mə-tər 

1

: an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting in forecasting weather and for determining altitude (see altitude sense 1a)

2

: something that indicates fluctuations (as in public opinion)

housing sales and other economic barometers

3

: standard, test

… a barometer to measure high school talent …

—Jeff Fellenzer

barometric

ˌber-ə-ˈme-trik 

ˌba-rə-

adjective

barometrically

ˌber-ə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

barometry

bə-ˈrä-mə-trē 

noun

Did you know?

When did barometer become figurative?

Originally, barometer referred to an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. Although this meaning is still very much in use, the word has taken on a strongly figurative sense denoting something that signals changes in conditions not necessarily related to the weather. This extended use of barometer has existed since at least the early 18th century, when Isaac Bickerstaff used it in an article in The Tatler: “I have an Engine in my Study, which is a Sort of a Political Barometer, or, to speak more intelligibly, a State Weather-Glass.”

Synonyms of barometer

• criterion
• standard
• benchmark
• measure

Examples of barometer in a Sentence

a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged

Recent Examples on the Web

When comparing lenders, look at the APR (annual percentage rate), which incorporates fees and is a better barometer of the overall cost of borrowing than just the interest rate. — Dan Avery,brett Holzhauer, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

In a way, the success Andrae does or doesn’t experience in Toronto could be a barometer of the new vision Chayka has for the Leafs’ blue line. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Waffle House is a staple of Southern culture, appearing in song lyrics and on movie screens, and even serving as a federal barometer for severe weather events. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 8 Sep. 2026

One Ghetto swiftly became three; and as long as Venice’s fortunes continued to worsen, their existence was all but guaranteed—so much so that, by the mid-seventeenth century, their status could well be regarded as a barometer of Venice’s decline. — Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

baro- + -meter

Note: The word was probably introduced by Robert boyle. It occurs in his New Experiments and Observations Touching Cold (London, 1665), p. 27: "… consulting the Barometer (if to avoid Circumlocutions I may so call the whole Instrument wherein a Mercurial Cylinder of 29 or 30 Inches is kept suspended after the manner of the Torricellian Experiment) I found the Quicksilver lower then [sic] it had been a great while." Boyle also employed the word baroscope for the instrument.

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for barometer

• chronometer
• geometer
• hydrometer
• hygrometer
• kilometer
• micrometer
• odometer
• photometer
• psychrometer
• pycnometer
• pyrometer
• rheometer

Kids Definition

barometer

noun

ba·​rom·​e·​ter bə-ˈräm-ət-ər 

: an instrument that measures the pressure of the atmosphere to determine probable weather changes

barometric

ˌbar-ə-ˈme-trik 

adjective