monitor

1 of 2

noun

mon·​i·​tor ˈmä-nə-tər How to pronounce monitor (audio)
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 warNew 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
monitorial adjective
monitorship noun

monitor

2 of 2

verb

monitored; monitoring ˈmä-nə-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce monitor (audio)

transitive verb

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

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
It is also equipped with three plush captain chairs, an electric center division with a glass panel, and an entertainment system comprising two TV monitors, a CD player, and a VHS player. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 The 50-plus major cruise lines that belong to CLIA go a step further and are required to train clinical staff members in advanced life support, and additionally have defibrillators, cardiac monitors, X-ray machines, and lab equipment onboard. Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024 Random shoving attacks on the city's subway platforms have left people killed or severely injured by oncoming trains, and last week an ex-con was accused of ditching his ankle monitor before shoving his ex into a moving train in Manhattan during an argument. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 On the first two missions, DJ’s monitor showed the Ukrainian steppe below as his drone catapulted through the wilderness at upward of 60 miles per hour, strapped with roughly three pounds of high explosives and aimed at destroying Russian vehicles. Yurii Shyvala, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given marketing approval for the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM). John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024 Anita McCoy, one of the few Black vendors at the swap meet, employs local residents at her makeup and clothing stalls — including a man who was released from prison in 2020 and wore an ankle monitor for the next two years. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 On a recent day, Madeline Magee and Rae-Ann Eifert, lake monitors for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, braved sub-freezing temperatures to gather buckets of lake water off a Racine breakwater as part of Vick-Majors' project. Todd Richmond, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 San Diego device maker Dexcom has received the first FDA clearance for a continuous glucose monitor that doesn’t require a doctor’s prescription. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Bailey said board members are carefully monitoring their work. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided recommendations for personal protective equipment and is monitoring the health of those in direct contact with the infected goats. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2024 Now the group is gearing up to monitor whether the city meets its responsibility to assess individual cases. Karin Brulliard, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 The deal gives Cisco more services to sell to corporate customers, including tools that monitor cybersecurity risks. Byjohn Kell, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 Partly because of its enormous financial clout and growing ambitions, those in international business circles closely monitor moves made by the Public Investment Fund, which was created in 1971. Rob Copeland, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 States should therefore pool their funding more purposefully and much more regularly to ensure China’s stations are well monitored. Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024 Lifeguards monitor the area next to the border fence constantly, Hernández said. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Travis also recalled how helicopters monitored the two during their day out. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 8 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

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin, one that warns, overseer, from monēre to warn — more at mind

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monitor was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near monitor

Cite this Entry

“Monitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monitor. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

monitor

1 of 2 noun
mon·​i·​tor ˈmän-ət-ər How to pronounce monitor (audio)
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 How to pronounce monitor (audio)
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 How to pronounce monitor (audio)
: 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
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

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