(1) A display screen used to provide visual output from a computer, cable box, video camera, VCR or other video generating device. Computer monitors use CRT and LCD technology, while TV monitors use CRT, LCD and plasma technologies. See
analog monitor,
digital monitor and
flat panel display.
(2) Software that monitors 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. It resides in a ROM or flash memory chip and contains startup and diagnostic routines.