marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər 

1

: one that marks

2

: something used for marking: such as

a

: a type of felt tip pen that makes wide lines

drew a tree with green and brown markers

used a permanent marker to label the boxes

b

: any of various sewing devices for making or indicating guidelines

a pin marker for hemlines

3

: score sense 7

specifically : run

4

: promissory note, iou

5

: something that serves to identify, predict, or characterize: such as

a

: biomarker

b

: genetic marker

Synonyms of marker

• label

Examples of marker in a Sentence

A person's accent can be a marker of social class.

the markers on the rock and mineral specimens were old and faded

Recent Examples on the Web

This craft set comes with a notepad, eraser, sticker sheet, three markers, and two pens, all packed inside a decorative ramen cup that doubles as a desk pen holder. — Anja Webb, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, appears to have largely invented the concept to lay down a marker of ambition. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026

The slower method typically produces less fabric than modern high-speed looms and has become a marker of heritage construction—and often a higher price—for denim consumers. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

The companies will now pay this fee in various tiers at multiples of the standard $25,000, covering stages of script completion and other progress markers. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marker

• genetic marker

Rhymes for marker

• barker
• darker
• starker
• biomarker

Kids Definition

marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər 

1

: one that marks

2

: something used for marking

Medical Definition

marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər 

: something that serves to identify, predict, or characterize

a surface marker on a cell that acts as an antigen

: as

a

: biomarker

The recent discovery of a serological marker for the hepatitis C virus has greatly improved diagnostic accuracy for this form of hepatitis.

—Gary P. Wormser, letter in The Journal of the American Medical Association

b

: genetic marker

The idea in genetic linkage analysis is to see if any particular marker, which serves as a signpost for a specific region of a chromosome, is consistently inherited along with the disease …

—Leslie Roberts, Science

called also marker gene