barometer
noun
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When did barometer become figurative?
Originally, barometer referred to an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. Although this meaning is still very much in use, the word has taken on a strongly figurative sense denoting something that signals changes in conditions not necessarily related to the weather. This extended use of barometer has existed since at least the early 18th century, when Isaac Bickerstaff used it in an article in The Tatler: “I have an Engine in my Study, which is a Sort of a Political Barometer, or, to speak more intelligibly, a State Weather-Glass.”
Synonyms
Examples of barometer in a Sentence
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The Hill’s Mike Lillis, Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell have rounded up some of the races that might serve as an early barometer of Election Day trends, momentum and which side has the edge in the fight.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
Once popular only among gamers who hunted for PCs with Nvidia’s graphics processors, the company is now the second-most valuable in the world and is seen as a barometer for the AI market.
—Reuters, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
This week, a separate barometer of wage growth that economists say is more accurate, called the employment cost index, showed that private-sector wages grew 3.8% in the third quarter, the slowest pace in three years.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near barometer
Cite this Entry
“Barometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barometer. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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barometer
noun
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