(1) A display screen used to provide visual output from a computer, cable box, camera or other video-generating device. Computer monitors use CRT and LCD technology, while TV monitors use LCD and OLED technologies. See
analog monitor,
digital monitor and
flat panel display.
(2) Software that observes the progress of activities within a computer system. See
computer monitoring.
(3) A device that gathers performance statistics of a running system via direct attachment to the CPU's circuit boards. See also
network analyzer.
(4) Software that provides utility and control functions such as setting communications parameters. The monitor resides in a ROM or flash memory chip and contains startup and diagnostic routines.