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

More than $800 billion tracks the index, including the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which is one of the most popular securities traded each day and is seen as a barometer for the artificial intelligence bull market. — Yun Li, CNBC, 27 June 2026

This cross-cultural mingling has arrived amid a period of increasing global polarization and skepticism toward newcomers, according to this year’s trust barometer released by the Edelman Trust Institute. — Medara Udoekong, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026

Stocks dropped Monday amid concerns about tech infrastructure costs and kept going early Tuesday as investors brace for Micron’s earnings on Wednesday, since the memory chip maker is seen as a barometer for AI demand. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

After all, Best of the Best has never been a trend report or market barometer. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 21 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