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

• bar
• benchmark
• criterion
• gold standard
• grade
• mark
• measure
• metric
• par
• standard
• touchstone
• yardstick

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

The firm’s barometer on how corporate return-to-office policies is going has been hovering around that level for 13 months. —Joseph Mysak Jr., Fortune, 10 Feb. 2024

Conceived by Harley Earl, head of GM’s Art & Color Department in the middle of the last century, the original Motorama showcased what potential customers might be able to expect in the future, but also served as a barometer to gauge the public’s interest in various stylistic features and amenities. —Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

Using Instagram followers as a barometer, Dillingham has the most of those men’s players with 669,000, while Clark and Bueckers all have over a million, with Reese boasting 2.7 million. —Alex Leeds Matthews and Ben Morse, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024

Use your emotions as a barometer to make decisions that further your agenda. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024

Tucker-Vikström posited that 350 to 500 miles run is a good barometer to take note of. —Mason Leib, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024

There’s nothing magical about an incumbent gaining above or below 50 percent support in a primary, but sometimes that’s viewed as a barometer of strength, or lack thereof. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024

Here comes that Stokes phrasing again about not looking at the endgame as the only barometer. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

Liverpool overwhelmed Chelsea in a 4-1 drubbing at Anfield in the league just three weeks ago, but the Reds' injury situation means that game can no longer be a true barometer of what is to come on Sunday. —Steve Douglas, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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