barometer
Americannoun
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Meteorology. any instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.
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anything that indicates changes.
noun
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an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure, usually to determine altitude or weather changes
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anything that shows change or impending change
the barometer of social change
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In general, when the barometer falls in response to a drop in pressure, bad weather is approaching; when the barometer rises because of an increase in pressure, good weather will follow.
Other Word Forms
- barometric adjective
- barometrical adjective
- barometrically adverb
- barometry noun
Etymology
Origin of barometer
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Defense stocks have been treated as a geopolitical barometer.
From MarketWatch
However, the case for a pause was boosted by data showing Tokyo's inflation -- seen as a barometer for the country -- cooled last month.
From Barron's
A supportive stat for markets overall that he points to is the so-called January barometer.
From MarketWatch
Mish anticipates that new loan issuance will become “a key barometer” of AI disruption in credit.
From Barron's
In the final stretch of Hollywood's awards season, the evening serves as a barometer for the Oscars, given that some of their voting members also have a voice in the Academy.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
