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

Next week’s local elections are seen as a barometer for how the parties will fare in the general election. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024

The bill’s outcome is a barometer of how serious American politicians are about dealing with the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party. —The Editors, National Review, 8 Apr. 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