Plain English Meaning
A device that draws a line on paper showing tiny changes in air pressure as they happen, so you can see how pressure has been rising or falling.
Full Definition
A sensitive recording instrument that continuously measures and traces very small changes in atmospheric pressure over time on a moving paper chart.
Context Anchor
Seen in meteorology and aviation weather discussions, usually at a weather station rather than in the cockpit.
Derivation
From Greek 'micro' (small), 'baro' (weight or pressure), and 'graph' (something written or drawn). Together: an instrument that draws a record of small pressure changes.
Why Pilots Care
Rapid pressure changes shown on a microbarograph trace can signal approaching weather such as fronts, thunderstorms, or pressure waves -- all of which affect flight planning, altimeter settings, and turbulence expectations.
Intuition Check
A microbarograph is not an altimeter or a normal cockpit pressure gauge. It records tiny air-pressure changes over time; it is not used to set or read aircraft altitude.
Example Sentence 1
The microbarograph trace showed a sharp pressure drop just before the squall line moved through the airfield.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians checked the microbarograph record before adjusting the sensitive altimeter for the day's conditions.