calorimeter

noun

cal·​o·​rim·​e·​ter ˌka-lə-ˈri-mə-tər How to pronounce calorimeter (audio)
: an apparatus for measuring quantities of absorbed or emitted heat or for determining specific heats
calorimetric
ˌka-lə-rə-ˈme-trik How to pronounce calorimeter (audio)
kə-ˌlȯr-ə-
adjective
calorimetrically adverb
calorimetry noun

Examples of calorimeter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One way to measure the energy content in food is with a bomb calorimeter. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2023 The first calorimeter could handle small objects a few inches on each side. Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011 The cone calorimeter resembled a vent hood with a series of ducts attached to the top of a small sealed chamber. Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011 According to the Los Angeles Times health blog, Booster Shots: Researchers from Tufts University took commercially prepared foods -- both prepackaged and from restaurants -- and analyzed them in a bomb calorimeter. Brett Israel, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2010 Researchers can determine how much energy a particular food or fuel contains by burning it in a device known as a bomb calorimeter. Jillian Mock, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2019 The idea of the whole room calorimeter is that the patient is literally locked in an airtight room, given meals through a slot in one wall, and generally observed within an inch of their lives. Sara Chodosh, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2021 So Berlinguette and his students built four of the world's most precise calorimeters, devices that measure the heat given off by reactions taking place within them. Michael Greshko, National Geographic, 29 May 2019 But Riley's most excited about a new cone calorimeter machine that measures the textile's peak heat release rate, total heat release, smoke density, and mass loss in a flash fire environment. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 28 Nov. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calorimeter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin calor

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calorimeter was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near calorimeter

Cite this Entry

“Calorimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calorimeter. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

calorimeter

noun
cal·​o·​rim·​e·​ter ˌkal-ə-ˈrim-ət-ər How to pronounce calorimeter (audio)
: a device for measuring quantities of heat given off or taken in

Medical Definition

calorimeter

noun
cal·​o·​rim·​e·​ter ˌkal-ə-ˈrim-ət-ər How to pronounce calorimeter (audio)
: any of several apparatuses for measuring quantities of absorbed or evolved heat or for determining specific heats see bomb calorimeter, oxycalorimeter
calorimetrically adverb
calorimetry noun
plural calorimetries

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