mon·i·tor
ˈmä-nə-tər 
1
a
: a student appointed to assist a teacher
b
: one that warns or instructs
monitors and instructors for troops green in the art of war—
New York Times
New York Times
c
: one that monitors or is used in monitoring: such as
(1)
: an electronic device with a screen used for display (as of television pictures or computer information)
(2)
: a device for observing a biological condition or function
a heart monitor
2
3
[Monitor, first ship of the type]
a
: a heavily armored warship formerly used in coastal operations having a very low freeboard and one or more revolving gun turrets
b
: a small modern warship with shallow draft (see draft entry 1 sense 8) for coastal bombardment
4
: a raised central portion of a roof having low windows or louvers for providing light and air
monitored; monitoring
ˈmä-nə-t(ə-)riŋ
: to watch, keep track of, or check usually for a special purpose
Nurses monitored the patient's heart rate.
Synonyms
Examples of monitor in a Sentence
Noun
They watched the press conference on a video monitor in a back room.
We put a baby monitor in the nursery.
U.N. weapons monitors and inspectors.
Verb
Nurses constantly monitored the patient's heart rate.
We're in a good position to monitor and respond to customer concerns.
Government agents have been monitoring the enemy's radio communications.
Recent Examples on the WebJennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024
The workers, all based in the Philippines and projected onto flat-screen monitors via Zoom, are summoned when an often unwitting customer approaches.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The new rules require that water systems monitor for six toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
This year’s festival will also include a Jazz Lounge ticket, which gives fans exclusive access to premium parking, a tented lounge with complimentary wifi and TV monitors, along with special restroom facilities with air conditioning.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The consent decree requires Philips to carry out additional tests on the silicone foam if the independent safety monitor brought on by the company determines that prior testing was inadequate.
—Michael Korsh, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2024
It’s found not just in folding smartphones but also laptops, computer monitors, televisions, and other consumer technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2024
Wearing black and gold Versace sunglasses and a GPS ankle monitor above his black and yellow Jordans, Abrego spoke between sips from a smoothie and hits of cannabis wax from a glass pipe.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The manager of the low vision program for Sight Savers America adjusts the camera mounted on a monitor in front of them, presses a button on a controller, and suddenly, Juan’s face fills the 22-inch screen.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Apr. 2024
Then, from 2027 to 2029, systems will continue monitoring their levels at least once annually and inform customers of the results and any violations.
—USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
But Google employees who spoke with TIME said the company has little ability to monitor what customers, especially sovereign nations like Israel, are doing on its cloud infrastructure.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Patients need regular brain scans to monitor for that.
—Tom Murphy, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Police are working with Partners for Peace in all of the city’s homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services for those affected by the homicides.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Hann and Bich were strict and monitored not just Jennifer's academic performance, but also her extracurricular activities and social life.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Panels are put around their pools to block the sight of humans, and the otters are monitored remotely.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Many public water systems have been monitoring these contaminants for at least a decade, but disclosure and clean-up requirements were not enforceable until now.
—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
These include lighting, plugs and switches, thermostats, locks, security and environment sensors, refrigerators, dishwashers, smoke alarms, air quality monitors, and more.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024
The workers, all based in the Philippines and projected onto flat-screen monitors via Zoom, are summoned when an often unwitting customer approaches.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The new rules require that water systems monitor for six toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
This year’s festival will also include a Jazz Lounge ticket, which gives fans exclusive access to premium parking, a tented lounge with complimentary wifi and TV monitors, along with special restroom facilities with air conditioning.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The consent decree requires Philips to carry out additional tests on the silicone foam if the independent safety monitor brought on by the company determines that prior testing was inadequate.
—Michael Korsh, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2024
It’s found not just in folding smartphones but also laptops, computer monitors, televisions, and other consumer technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2024
Wearing black and gold Versace sunglasses and a GPS ankle monitor above his black and yellow Jordans, Abrego spoke between sips from a smoothie and hits of cannabis wax from a glass pipe.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The manager of the low vision program for Sight Savers America adjusts the camera mounted on a monitor in front of them, presses a button on a controller, and suddenly, Juan’s face fills the 22-inch screen.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
Verb
The launch was confirmed by the White House, where a spokesperson said President Biden would monitor the attack from the Situation Room alongside top defense and diplomatic officials.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Apr. 2024
Then, from 2027 to 2029, systems will continue monitoring their levels at least once annually and inform customers of the results and any violations.
—USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
But Google employees who spoke with TIME said the company has little ability to monitor what customers, especially sovereign nations like Israel, are doing on its cloud infrastructure.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Patients need regular brain scans to monitor for that.
—Tom Murphy, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Police are working with Partners for Peace in all of the city’s homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services for those affected by the homicides.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Hann and Bich were strict and monitored not just Jennifer's academic performance, but also her extracurricular activities and social life.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Panels are put around their pools to block the sight of humans, and the otters are monitored remotely.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Many public water systems have been monitoring these contaminants for at least a decade, but disclosure and clean-up requirements were not enforceable until now.
—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monitor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near monitor
Cite this Entry
“Monitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monitor. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
monitor
1 of 2 noun
mon·i·tor
ˈmän-ət-ər
1
a
: a student appointed to assist a teacher
b
: a person that warns or instructs
c
: one that monitors or is used in monitoring
especially
: a video screen used for display (as of television pictures or computer information)
2
3
a
: a heavily armored warship having low sides and revolving guns that was used against shipping in harbors and in river patrol
b
: a gunboat used to bombard coastal areas and riverbanks
monitor
2 of 2 verb
monitored; monitoring
ˈmän-ət-ə-riŋ
ˈmän-ə-triŋ
: to watch, observe, or check for a special purpose
monitor a broadcast for sound quality
Medical Definition
monitor
1 of 2 noun
mon·i·tor
ˈmän-ət-ər
: one that monitors
especially
: a device for observing or measuring a biologically important condition or function
a heart monitor
monitor
2 of 2 transitive verb
monitored; monitoring
ˈmän-ət-ə-riŋ, ˈmän-ə-triŋ
1
: to watch, observe, or check closely or continuously
monitor a patient's vital signs
2
: to test for intensity of radiations especially if due to radioactivity
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