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 WebMike Feibus, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
As part of a production team parked behind dozens of glowing monitors in the middle of the room, Abigail Rosen Holmes, Phish’s creative director, manipulated these images in real time, responding — sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically — to the twists and turns of the band’s improvisations.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
His face has been visible to dozens of reporters watching in an overflow room on a large monitor with a closed-circuit camera trained on the defense table.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
That axle produces more than the seven-horsepower net difference, but the system’s controls monitors output from both sources to deliver smooth, manageable power.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024
Security monitors and aid groups estimate the conflict has killed at least 14,000 people, a tally that could be far lower than the true death toll, according to many experts.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
Just over 28% of the state was in those levels, in the most recent monitor, down from 31.55% last week and 37.34% three months ago.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
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
Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Researchers were building out a global network of seismographs, which measure ground motion, to monitor nuclear weapons testing.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024
Velasquez has been out of jail custody since he was granted $1 million bail and monitored release after the November 2022 preliminary examination that sent his case to trial.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
California is home to 210 cities, towns and communities monitored by Zillow where the median home values are more than $1 million.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
This function is of particular interest to athletes, but it can also be used to monitor the health status of workers in jobs that require strenuous physical activity, especially in hazardous or extreme working conditions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Apr. 2024
While cameras monitored the daycare’s classroom, the kitchen play area where the abuse occurred was out of view, investigators said.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Apr. 2024
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
Noun
As a result, the historically moribund PC monitor market suddenly blossomed with double-digit growth in 2020 and 2021.
—Mike Feibus, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
As part of a production team parked behind dozens of glowing monitors in the middle of the room, Abigail Rosen Holmes, Phish’s creative director, manipulated these images in real time, responding — sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically — to the twists and turns of the band’s improvisations.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
His face has been visible to dozens of reporters watching in an overflow room on a large monitor with a closed-circuit camera trained on the defense table.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
That axle produces more than the seven-horsepower net difference, but the system’s controls monitors output from both sources to deliver smooth, manageable power.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024
Security monitors and aid groups estimate the conflict has killed at least 14,000 people, a tally that could be far lower than the true death toll, according to many experts.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
Just over 28% of the state was in those levels, in the most recent monitor, down from 31.55% last week and 37.34% three months ago.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
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
Verb
The Missouri Department of Mental Health monitored her progress and filed a confidential report requesting that the case proceed, court records show, according to USA Today.
—Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Researchers were building out a global network of seismographs, which measure ground motion, to monitor nuclear weapons testing.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024
Velasquez has been out of jail custody since he was granted $1 million bail and monitored release after the November 2022 preliminary examination that sent his case to trial.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
California is home to 210 cities, towns and communities monitored by Zillow where the median home values are more than $1 million.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
This function is of particular interest to athletes, but it can also be used to monitor the health status of workers in jobs that require strenuous physical activity, especially in hazardous or extreme working conditions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Apr. 2024
While cameras monitored the daycare’s classroom, the kitchen play area where the abuse occurred was out of view, investigators said.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Apr. 2024
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
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 29 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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