monitor

noun

mon·i·tor | \ ˈmä-nə-tər

Definition of monitor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

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 : monitor lizard

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

monitor

verb

monitored; monitoring\ ˈmä-nə-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition of monitor (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to watch, keep track of, or check usually for a special purpose Nurses monitored the patient's heart rate.

Other Words from monitor Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about monitor

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Other Words from monitor

Noun

monitorial \ ˌmä-nə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl

\ adjective

monitorship \ ˈmä-nə-tər-ˌship

\ noun

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 Web: Noun

On her third and final day of detention, immigration officials placed an ankle monitor on her. — Rafael Carranza, azcentral, "Respite centers for migrants preparing for possibility of indefinite detention," 2 July 2018 After a week, Martin-Godinez was released with an ankle monitor and dropped off with her baby at a Greyhound bus station in Phoenix. — Lori Rozsa, chicagotribune.com, "'When will I see you, Mama?': Split at border leads to heartache for migrant family," 26 June 2018 He had been released from prison after 8 years, but was on year two of house arrest with an ankle monitor. — Morgan Baila, refinery29.com, "Everything New In Netflix’s The Staircase," 8 June 2018 Out on a million-dollar cash bail, Weinstein surrendered his passport and has been wearing an ankle monitor under his trousers. — Maureen O'connor, The Cut, "The Courthouse Scene at Harvey Weinstein’s Arraignment," 5 June 2018 During the first year, Mikulich will wear an ankle monitor, according to the deal. — Becky Jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Ex-Lake County Ind. cop pleads guilty but mentally ill in 2016 hit-and-run," 14 May 2018 Space nerds will no doubt be glued to their computer monitors in the wee hours of Saturday morning. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "SpaceX Is Conducting Its First Passenger-Ready Launch on Saturday," 1 Mar. 2019 One cable to provide better graphics, a hookup to my triple-head monitors, charging, and wired access to my home network? — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Mac mini review—a testament to Apple’s stubbornness," 23 Nov. 2018 For the chorus of the lattermost, Mars was quick to pop out his in-ear monitor, swapping his role as lead vocalist for the role of conductor, and treated the screaming crowd like his choir. — Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, "Phoenix Residency at Brooklyn Steel: 5 Best Moments From the Fifth and Final Night," 11 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The scientists are monitoring water in the School Branch watershed, which is part of the larger Eagle Creek watershed. — Emily Hopkins, Indianapolis Star, "In Hendricks County, Ronald Reagan Parkway extension pits science against growth," 9 July 2018 The ChargePoint station allows the city to monitor usage, and users can reserve the stall for up to 15 minutes, Center said. — Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Tesla no longer bringing 39 vehicle chargers to Elgin," 28 June 2018 Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all reportedly monitoring the movements of Tottenham winger Son Heung-min. — SI.com, "Liverpool, Arsenal & Man Utd Tipped to Enter Shock Battle to Sign Tottenham Star After the World Cup," 27 June 2018 Owners must pick up after their dogs and stay near enough to monitor any signs of aggression or other problems. — Joan Hunt, Courant Community, "It's A Dog's Life At The Rocky Hill Dog Park," 27 June 2018 Such is the confounding paradox inherent to many of today’s big tech companies, which promise private, free communication tools while monitoring everything their users do. — Jacob Silverman, Longreads, "Private Telegram, Public Strife," 3 July 2018 Gold prices fell Monday, hurt by a stable dollar and steady Treasury yields as investors monitored the latest signals on global trade talks. — Amrith Ramkumar, WSJ, "Gold Falls With Treasury Yields, Dollar Steady," 15 Apr. 2019 Mika requested a stress test, which monitors how hard your heart is working while running on treadmill. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Doctors Kept Calling It Stress. Then I Learned I Had a 98% Blockage in My Heart.," 7 Feb. 2019 According to the mining company, the autonomous trains make sure the rails are clear ahead and monitor internal systems as well, checking for faulty wheels or couplers and bringing the train to a stop if there's a problem. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Mining co. says first autonomous freight train network fully operational," 30 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monitor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.