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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The state's Attorney General Ken Paxton had gone to federal court in an effort to block DOJ monitors out of eight Texas counties. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 But the Sunday before Labor Day, Francis cut off his GPS ankle monitor and took an Uber to the border. Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
According to detectives, on the same day the allegations were reported, the victim conducted a phone call with Torres — monitored by police — in which Torres admitted to abusing the victim and at least one other underage relative. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 Some member states have more institutional capacity and technical expertise than others and are better able to monitor sanctions compliance and go after bad actors. Agathe Demarais, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for monitor 

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 Nov. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on monitor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!