monitor

A monitor is someone who watches others and reminds them of proper conduct. (noun)

An example of monitor is a proctor at a standardized test.

Monitor means to observe and/or regulate. (verb)

An example of monitor is for a person to carefully watch her diet.

See monitor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a person who advises, warns, or cautions
in some schools, a student chosen to help keep order, record attendance, etc.
something that reminds or warns
any of a family (Varanidae) of usually very large, flesh-eating lizards of Africa, S Asia, and Australia: from the notion that they warn of the presence of crocodiles
☆ Historical a heavily armored warship with a low, flat deck and heavy guns fitted in one or more revolving turrets
☆ a mounting for a nozzle that allows a stream of water to be played in any direction, as in fire fighting
a person who monitors a foreign broadcast, etc.
any of various devices for checking or regulating the performance of machines, aircraft, guided missiles, etc.
an instrument for measuring radioactive contamination by means of the ionizing radiation being emitted
Comput. a video screen for displaying data, graphic images, etc.
Radio, TV a receiver or speaker, as in the control room of a broadcasting studio, for checking the quality of the transmission

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to watch or check on (a person or thing) as a monitor
to check on or regulate the performance of (a machine, airplane, etc.)
to test for radioactive contamination with a monitor
to listen in on (a foreign broadcast, telephone conversation, etc.) as for gathering political or military information
Radio, TV to check the quality of (transmission) with or as with a monitor

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See monitor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(mŏnˈĭ-tər)

noun

One that admonishes, cautions, or reminds, especially with respect to matters of conduct.
A pupil who assists a teacher in routine duties.
a. A usually electronic device used to record, regulate, or control a process or system.
b. A receiver, such as a screen or speaker, that is used to check the quality or content of an electronic transmission: followed the broadcast on the television monitor.
c. Computer Science A device that accepts video signals from a computer and displays information on a screen; a video display.
Computer Science A program that observes, supervises, or controls the activities of other programs.
An articulated device holding a rotating nozzle with which a jet of water is regulated, used in mining and firefighting.
a. A heavily ironclad warship of the 19th century with a low, flat deck and one or more gun turrets.
b. A modern warship designed for coastal bombardment.
Biology Any of various tropical carnivorous lizards of the family Varanidae, living in the East Indies, southern Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Guinea and ranging in length from several centimeters to 3 meters (10 feet).

verb mon·i·tored, mon·i·tor·ing, mon·i·tors

verb, transitive

To check the quality or content of (an electronic audio or visual signal) by means of a receiver.
To check by means of an electronic receiver for significant content, such as military, political, or illegal activity: monitor a suspected criminal's phone conversations.
To keep track of systematically with a view to collecting information: monitor the bear population of a national park; monitored the political views of the people.
To test or sample, especially on a regular or ongoing basis: monitored the city's drinking water for impurities.
To keep close watch over; supervise: monitor an examination.
To direct.

verb, intransitive

To act as a monitor.

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