barometer

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

barometry

2 of 2

noun (2)

ba·​rom·​e·​try bə-ˈrä-mə-trē 

plural -es

: the science or process of making barometric measurements

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 of barometer

Noun (1)

• criterion
• standard
• benchmark
• measure

Examples of barometer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The price of gold, the best barometer of monetary mischief, has declined from the highs of earlier this year by more than 25% vis-à-vis the dollar. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

If blue-and-red jerseys and Chicago ballcaps are an accurate barometer, Cubs fans ruled — by a lot. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 11 June 2026

Local Tarrant County elections Tarrant County is often seen as a barometer for the rest of the state, which means the county’s top-of-ticket race is one worth tuning in to. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026

In a statement, Amazon MGM’s domestic distribution chief, Kevin Wilson, repeated a similar sentiment about using a different barometer for success than rivals. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

baro- + -meter

Note: The word was probably introduced by Robert boyle. It occurs in his New Experiments and Observations Touching Cold (London, 1665), p. 27: "… consulting the Barometer (if to avoid Circumlocutions I may so call the whole Instrument wherein a Mercurial Cylinder of 29 or 30 Inches is kept suspended after the manner of the Torricellian Experiment) I found the Quicksilver lower then [sic] it had been a great while." Boyle also employed the word baroscope for the instrument.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for barometer

• chronometer
• geometer
• hydrometer
• hygrometer
• kilometer
• micrometer
• odometer
• photometer
• psychrometer
• pycnometer
• pyrometer
• rheometer

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