mon·i·tor
ˈmä-nə-tər 
1
a
: 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
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
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
monitored; monitoring
ˈmä-nə-t(ə-)riŋ
: to watch, keep track of, or check usually for a special purpose
Nurses monitored the patient's heart rate.
Synonyms
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 WebJennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024
The workers, all based in the Philippines and projected onto flat-screen monitors via Zoom, are summoned when an often unwitting customer approaches.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The new rules require that water systems monitor for six toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
This year’s festival will also include a Jazz Lounge ticket, which gives fans exclusive access to premium parking, a tented lounge with complimentary wifi and TV monitors, along with special restroom facilities with air conditioning.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The consent decree requires Philips to carry out additional tests on the silicone foam if the independent safety monitor brought on by the company determines that prior testing was inadequate.
—Michael Korsh, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2024
It’s found not just in folding smartphones but also laptops, computer monitors, televisions, and other consumer technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2024
Wearing black and gold Versace sunglasses and a GPS ankle monitor above his black and yellow Jordans, Abrego spoke between sips from a smoothie and hits of cannabis wax from a glass pipe.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The manager of the low vision program for Sight Savers America adjusts the camera mounted on a monitor in front of them, presses a button on a controller, and suddenly, Juan’s face fills the 22-inch screen.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Reassess your grip strength periodically every two to four weeks to monitor improvements and adjust your training program accordingly.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Being able to monitor temperature and adjust your heating and cooling automatically can make your house more comfortable and energy-efficient.
—PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
People who may have been in contact with infected animals should be monitored for symptoms including eye redness, fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Stephen Tune, a vehicle operations specialist, sat in the passenger seat, monitoring the screens.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Under the private company, the Arizona prison system doesn’t have enough staff and needs to increase salaries for new and existing workers, experts monitoring its health care operations told the court.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
GGOs can help diagnose and monitor complications from COVID, such as pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).2
GGOs are not specific to COVID.
—Leah Groth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Bailey said board members are carefully monitoring their work.
—Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
These include lighting, plugs and switches, thermostats, locks, security and environment sensors, refrigerators, dishwashers, smoke alarms, air quality monitors, and more.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024
The workers, all based in the Philippines and projected onto flat-screen monitors via Zoom, are summoned when an often unwitting customer approaches.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The new rules require that water systems monitor for six toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
This year’s festival will also include a Jazz Lounge ticket, which gives fans exclusive access to premium parking, a tented lounge with complimentary wifi and TV monitors, along with special restroom facilities with air conditioning.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
The consent decree requires Philips to carry out additional tests on the silicone foam if the independent safety monitor brought on by the company determines that prior testing was inadequate.
—Michael Korsh, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2024
It’s found not just in folding smartphones but also laptops, computer monitors, televisions, and other consumer technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2024
Wearing black and gold Versace sunglasses and a GPS ankle monitor above his black and yellow Jordans, Abrego spoke between sips from a smoothie and hits of cannabis wax from a glass pipe.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The manager of the low vision program for Sight Savers America adjusts the camera mounted on a monitor in front of them, presses a button on a controller, and suddenly, Juan’s face fills the 22-inch screen.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
Verb
To blunt the impact, Kentucky agreed to erect sound barriers along the interstate; monitor and repair damage from construction vibration; install new pathways into the community; and triple, from $420,000 to $1.2 million, grants to fix Lewisburg facades when construction ends.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Reassess your grip strength periodically every two to four weeks to monitor improvements and adjust your training program accordingly.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Being able to monitor temperature and adjust your heating and cooling automatically can make your house more comfortable and energy-efficient.
—PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
People who may have been in contact with infected animals should be monitored for symptoms including eye redness, fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Stephen Tune, a vehicle operations specialist, sat in the passenger seat, monitoring the screens.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Under the private company, the Arizona prison system doesn’t have enough staff and needs to increase salaries for new and existing workers, experts monitoring its health care operations told the court.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
GGOs can help diagnose and monitor complications from COVID, such as pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).2
GGOs are not specific to COVID.
—Leah Groth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Bailey said board members are carefully monitoring their work.
—Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monitor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing monitor
Dictionary Entries Near monitor
Cite this Entry
“Monitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monitor. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
monitor
1 of 2 noun
mon·i·tor
ˈmän-ət-ər
1
a
: a student appointed to assist a teacher
b
: a person that warns or instructs
c
: one that monitors or is used in monitoring
especially
: a video screen used for display (as of television pictures or computer information)
2
3
a
: a heavily armored warship having low sides and revolving guns that was used against shipping in harbors and in river patrol
b
: a gunboat used to bombard coastal areas and riverbanks
monitor
2 of 2 verb
monitored; monitoring
ˈmän-ət-ə-riŋ
ˈmän-ə-triŋ
: to watch, observe, or check for a special purpose
monitor a broadcast for sound quality
Medical Definition
monitor
1 of 2 noun
mon·i·tor
ˈmän-ət-ər
: one that monitors
especially
: a device for observing or measuring a biologically important condition or function
a heart monitor
monitor
2 of 2 transitive verb
monitored; monitoring
ˈmän-ət-ə-riŋ, ˈmän-ə-triŋ
1
: to watch, observe, or check closely or continuously
monitor a patient's vital signs
2
: to test for intensity of radiations especially if due to radioactivity
More from Merriam-Webster on monitor
Nglish: Translation of monitor for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of monitor for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monitor
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