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.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebMegan Poinski, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
At the same time, the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency reported for the first time that its monitors at the plant heard rockets being fired from somewhere close to the facility.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2023
The Asian water monitor skin is completed with a relic finish that gives it a textured, worn look.
—Olivia Muenter, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
And the idea that watching CNN long-term in 16:9 on a 21:9 ultrawide monitor could impact a monitor's risk of burn-in is something that could easily be overlooked.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 21 Nov. 2023
The agency tested for the presence of toxic gases, such as benzene, and brought in mobile monitors to detect toxic metals including lead and arsenic.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023
The Nablus ward was brightly lit and quiet, aside from the beeping monitors.
—Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
Forgetting to slip on a wearable is easy, and hooking yourself up to a large monitor is intrusive.
—Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 17 Nov. 2023
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, 14 Nov. 2023
Emily Mullin, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2023
Tools like Workday track employee performance, while project management tools like Trello or JIRA are excellent for monitoring project completions and measuring individual contributions.
—Anna Frazzetto, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
On Target This fitness smartwatch will help your sister monitor her exercise, sleep, and other activities.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023
His adopter should have a close relationship with a trusted veterinarian because the effects of Gumby's limb differences will need to be closely monitored over time.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
The agreement is non-binding and carries mostly general recommendations such as monitoring AI systems for abuse, protecting data from tampering and vetting software suppliers.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2023
Children’s advocates and lawmakers around the world have pushed technology companies to stop the online spread of abusive imagery by monitoring for such material on their platforms.
—Kashmir Hill, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2023
They might also be caught in the middle of executives’ fixation with monitoring employee output and a disenchanted workforce still reeling from their waning flexibility and stagnant wages.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2023
The two things Iceland’s scientists and emergency responders needed to do—monitor the magma around the clock while using that data to make sure harm to life and property is minimized—are being efficiently acted upon.
—WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023
See More
Noun
Binance will continue to operate with longtime executive Richard Teng at the helm, and with an independent compliance monitor closely following its actions.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
At the same time, the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency reported for the first time that its monitors at the plant heard rockets being fired from somewhere close to the facility.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2023
The Asian water monitor skin is completed with a relic finish that gives it a textured, worn look.
—Olivia Muenter, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
And the idea that watching CNN long-term in 16:9 on a 21:9 ultrawide monitor could impact a monitor's risk of burn-in is something that could easily be overlooked.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 21 Nov. 2023
The agency tested for the presence of toxic gases, such as benzene, and brought in mobile monitors to detect toxic metals including lead and arsenic.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023
The Nablus ward was brightly lit and quiet, aside from the beeping monitors.
—Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
Forgetting to slip on a wearable is easy, and hooking yourself up to a large monitor is intrusive.
—Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 17 Nov. 2023
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, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
Because of this risk, the FDA currently requires that patients who receive CAR-T cell therapies be monitored for 15 years after treatment.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2023
Tools like Workday track employee performance, while project management tools like Trello or JIRA are excellent for monitoring project completions and measuring individual contributions.
—Anna Frazzetto, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
On Target This fitness smartwatch will help your sister monitor her exercise, sleep, and other activities.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023
His adopter should have a close relationship with a trusted veterinarian because the effects of Gumby's limb differences will need to be closely monitored over time.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
The agreement is non-binding and carries mostly general recommendations such as monitoring AI systems for abuse, protecting data from tampering and vetting software suppliers.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2023
Children’s advocates and lawmakers around the world have pushed technology companies to stop the online spread of abusive imagery by monitoring for such material on their platforms.
—Kashmir Hill, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2023
They might also be caught in the middle of executives’ fixation with monitoring employee output and a disenchanted workforce still reeling from their waning flexibility and stagnant wages.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2023
The two things Iceland’s scientists and emergency responders needed to do—monitor the magma around the clock while using that data to make sure harm to life and property is minimized—are being efficiently acted upon.
—WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023
See More
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 2 Dec. 2023.
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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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