barometer

ba·rom·e·ter

noun \bə-ˈrä-mə-tər\

Definition of BAROMETER

1

: an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting in forecasting weather and for determining altitude

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>

— baro·met·ric \ˌber-ə-ˈme-trik, ˌba-rə-\ adjective

— baro·met·ri·cal·ly \-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ba·rom·e·try \bə-ˈrä-mə-trē\ noun

Examples of BAROMETER

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

First Known Use of BAROMETER

circa 1666

Related to BAROMETER

Synonyms: bar, standard, benchmark, criterion, gold standard, grade, mark, measure, metric, par, touchstone, yardstick

Related Words: case, example, instance; average, norm, rule; acme, apex, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

Near Antonyms: aberration, abnormality, deviation

[+]more[-]hide