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.
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
Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Jackson Roman, who has been managing Type 1 diabetes, heard his cell phone and monitors beeping, sirens signaling his blood-glucose level had fallen too low, and the answer was tucked in his bag, a quick-acting honey gel pack.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
However, Lagarde again stressed that the ECB is monitoring a flip-side scenario in which fragmented supply chains constrain the domestic economy and push up prices worldwide.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monitor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Before joining the city, Burton worked for about 17 months as a corrections officer in Florence and before that, worked as a security monitor for Mesa Public Schools, according to his resume submitted to the city.
—Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Jackson Roman, who has been managing Type 1 diabetes, heard his cell phone and monitors beeping, sirens signaling his blood-glucose level had fallen too low, and the answer was tucked in his bag, a quick-acting honey gel pack.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
Verb
The Del Valle school district is still monitoring the effects of the federal pause on certain funding, spokesman Christopher Weddle said last week.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
However, Lagarde again stressed that the ECB is monitoring a flip-side scenario in which fragmented supply chains constrain the domestic economy and push up prices worldwide.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monitor
Cite this Entry
“Monitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monitor. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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