marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər 

1

: one that marks

2

: something used for marking: such as

a

: a type of felt tip pen that makes wide lines

drew a tree with green and brown markers

used a permanent marker to label the boxes

b

: any of various sewing devices for making or indicating guidelines

a pin marker for hemlines

3

: score sense 7

specifically : run

4

: promissory note, iou

5

: something that serves to identify, predict, or characterize: such as

a

: biomarker

b

: genetic marker

Synonyms

• label
• tag
• ticket

Examples of marker in a Sentence

A person's accent can be a marker of social class.

the markers on the rock and mineral specimens were old and faded

Recent Examples on the Web

These emotional high points serve as significant markers in your relationship. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Other attractions include replications of Golgotha and the Garden Tomb, a baptismal pool, and 29 marble markers with engraved biblical teachings. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024

Another marker of financial stability is keeping an emergency savings account, ideally one with sufficient funds to cover three to six months of expenses. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024

The intrigue: The object stands beside a marker of Rocky Balboa's sneaker imprints marking where the character ended his morning run in the iconic 1976 film. —Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marker

• genetic marker

Kids Definition

marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər 

1

: one that marks

2

: something used for marking

Medical Definition

marker

noun

mark·​er ˈmär-kər 

: something that serves to identify, predict, or characterize

a surface marker on a cell that acts as an antigen

: as

a

: biomarker

The recent discovery of a serological marker for the hepatitis C virus has greatly improved diagnostic accuracy for this form of hepatitis.

—Gary P. Wormser, letter in The Journal of the American Medical Association

b

: genetic marker

The idea in genetic linkage analysis is to see if any particular marker, which serves as a signpost for a specific region of a chromosome, is consistently inherited along with the disease …

—Leslie Roberts, Science

called also marker gene