marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər How to pronounce marker (audio)
1
: one that marks
2
: something used for marking: such as
a
: a type of felt tip pen that makes wide lines
drew a tree with green and brown markers
used a permanent marker to label the boxes
b
: any of various sewing devices for making or indicating guidelines
a pin marker for hemlines
3
: score sense 7
specifically : run
4
5
: something that serves to identify, predict, or characterize: such as
a

Examples of marker in a Sentence

A person's accent can be a marker of social class. the markers on the rock and mineral specimens were old and faded
Recent Examples on the Web Ensuring visibility in low-light conditions, the hour markers and indicators are coated with blue Super-LumiNova, maintaining the watch’s legibility in various environments. Matthew Catellier, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Amid the day's elation, tragedy crept in as a 57-year-old man competing in the marathon collapsed and died around the fifth mile marker in the Canadian stretch of the course. Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 21 Oct. 2024 This has created a trickle-down trend where the upper middle and middle class don’t have the same demand for luxury goods and status markers. Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2024 Relics include Comanche marker trees along Shoal Creek, per a fascinating KUT story. Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for marker 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marker was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near marker

Cite this Entry

“Marker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marker. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

marker

noun
mark·​er ˈmär-kər How to pronounce marker (audio)
1
: one that marks
2
: something used for marking

Medical Definition

marker

noun
mark·​er ˈmär-kər How to pronounce marker (audio)
: something that serves to identify, predict, or characterize
a surface marker on a cell that acts as an antigen
: as
a
: biomarker
The recent discovery of a serological marker for the hepatitis C virus has greatly improved diagnostic accuracy for this form of hepatitis.Gary P. Wormser, letter in The Journal of the American Medical Association
b
: genetic marker
The idea in genetic linkage analysis is to see if any particular marker, which serves as a signpost for a specific region of a chromosome, is consistently inherited along with the disease …Leslie Roberts, Science

called also marker gene

More from Merriam-Webster on marker

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