monitor
monitor
Pronunciation
/ˈmɒnɪtə(r)/
mon: /ˈmɒn/
/m/: voiced bilabial nasal
/ɒ/: open back rounded vowel
/n/: voiced alveolar nasal
i: /ɪ/
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel
tor: /tə(r)/
/t/: voiceless alveolar stop
/ə/: mid central vowel (schwa)
/r/: voiced alveolar approximant (rhotic consonant) - may be pronounced or not depending on the speaker's accent.
Word Form Variations
monitor (singular noun) - a device used for observing, checking, or keeping a continuous record of something
monitors (plural noun) - more than one monitor
monitor (verb) - to observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time
monitored (past tense verb) - observed and checked something in the past
monitoring (present participle verb) - the act of observing and checking something
monitors (third person singular present tense verb) - he/she/it monitors
It's worth noting that while "monitor" can function as both a noun and a verb, the context usually makes it clear which form is being used.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A device or screen that displays information or visual content, typically connected to a computer or other electronic device. It can also refer to someone or something that keeps track of or checks the progress or quality of something else.
Synonyms: screen, display, indicator, observer, supervisor, tracker
Antonyms: (For the device meaning) none; (For the observer meaning) participant, subject, uncontrolled
Verb
Definition: To observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time; to keep track of.
Synonyms: observe, watch, track, supervise, oversee, survey
Antonyms: ignore, neglect, disregard, overlook
While "monitor" can technically be used as an adjective (e.g., "monitor lizard"), it's primarily used as a noun or verb. There isn't a common adverbial form of "monitor".
Examples of Use
Books:
1984 by George Orwell: The telescreens in Oceania are used to constantly monitor the citizens, serving as both a television and a surveillance device. ("Big Brother is watching you." is a famous line from the novel, highlighting the oppressive monitoring of the state.)
Newspapers:
The New York Times: "The Environmental Protection Agency will monitor air quality in the city following the chemical plant fire." (This shows the verb form used in a real-world context of checking and assessing a situation.)
The Guardian: "UN monitors reported a ceasefire violation in the conflict zone." (Here, "monitors" refers to people tasked with observing and maintaining peace.)
Online Publications:
TechCrunch: "Apple is rumored to be developing a new heart rate monitor for its Apple Watch." (This refers to the device definition of "monitor," specifically a health-tracking gadget.)
BBC News: "Scientists are monitoring the volcano for signs of increased activity." (This shows the verb form used in a scientific context, implying continuous observation.)
Entertainment:
Film: In the movie "The Matrix," the characters use computer monitors to view the simulated reality.
Video Games: Many video games use the term "monitor" to refer to in-game displays that provide information to the player, such as health bars or maps.
Music: The band "LCD Soundsystem" has a song titled "All My Friends" which includes the lyric "And if the LCD Soundsystem were to break up, we wouldn't have to see you on a TV monitor." (This lyric uses "monitor" in the sense of a television screen.)
General Public Discourse:
Healthcare: "Patients in the intensive care unit are constantly monitored for changes in their condition."
Education: "Teachers monitor student progress throughout the school year."
Politics: "The government is monitoring social media for signs of unrest."
10 Famous Quotes Using Monitor
"It is not enough to create change; we must monitor progress to ensure its success." – Barack Obama
"A good leader doesn’t just give orders; they monitor the team’s well-being and growth." – John C. Maxwell
"To improve is to monitor, measure, and adjust continuously." – Peter Drucker
"We must monitor our thoughts as carefully as we monitor our bank accounts." – Anonymous
"The role of government is not just to pass laws but to monitor their impact on the people." – Franklin D. Roosevelt
"What gets measured gets managed, and what gets monitored gets improved." – Anonymous
"You don’t need to monitor every step if you’ve built a system that ensures progress." – Tim Ferriss
"To be self-aware, one must monitor not only their actions but also their intentions." – Brené Brown
"A free press exists to monitor power, not to be its servant." – Noam Chomsky
"Monitor your habits closely, for they are the building blocks of your future." – James Clear
Etymology
The word "monitor" has its roots in the Latin verb "monēre," which means "to warn, advise, or remind." Think of it like someone giving you a heads-up or a helpful tip.
From "monēre," the Romans formed the noun "monitor," which referred to someone who gives warnings or advice, like an advisor or overseer. This is where our modern meaning of "monitor" as someone who observes or keeps track of things comes from.
The first recorded use of "monitor" in English was in the 1540s. Back then, it mainly referred to a senior student in a school who was responsible for keeping order and helping the teacher. It was like being a classroom assistant.
Over time, the meaning of "monitor" expanded. In the 1600s, it began to be used for devices that displayed information, like the monitors we use with computers today. This sense of the word likely came from the idea of a monitor as something that "keeps track" of information.
So, essentially, "monitor" evolved from a word about giving advice and warnings to encompass both people who observe and devices that display information. It all goes back to that original Latin idea of paying attention and staying informed!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Monitor
Existing Phrases:
Keep a close monitor on (something): This means to watch something attentively and carefully.
Hall monitor: This refers to a student assigned to monitor the hallways in a school.
Lesser-Known Phrases:
Monitor the situation: This implies observing a developing event or problem.
Under close monitor: Similar to "keep a close monitor on," this suggests strict observation.
Original Phrases:
A monitor's gaze: This evokes a sense of being closely watched or scrutinized.
Beyond the monitor's reach: This could describe something outside of observation or control.
The monitor's blind spot: This refers to something that escapes observation, a gap in surveillance.
Idioms with Synonyms:
Since "monitor" often relates to watching or observing, here are some idioms with similar meanings:
Keep an eye on: To watch carefully, similar to "keep a close monitor on."
Have (someone) under surveillance: To closely observe someone, often secretly.
Keep tabs on: To track or monitor someone or something.
Not let something out of your sight: To watch something continuously.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of monitor from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
