Isobar
/ˈaɪ.sə.bɑːr/noun
A line on a map connecting points with equal atmospheric pressure at a given time or level.
Did you know?The name comes from Greek ideas of weight and equality, while modern isobars turn invisible atmospheric pressure into visible lines that meteorologists use to track storms.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἴσος (isos)
“Equal or same”
Ancient Greek
Greek
βάρος (baros)
“Weight or heaviness”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
isobaros
“Of equal weight; formed from isos, “equal,” and baros, “weight””
Late 19th Century
English
isobar
“A line or surface representing equal pressure, especially in meteorology”
Modern English
English
isobar
“A map line joining places with equal atmospheric pressure”