tensiometer

noun

ten·​si·​om·​e·​ter ˌten(t)-sē-ˈä-mə-tər 

1

: a device for measuring tension (as of structural material)

2

: an instrument for determining the moisture content of soil

3

: an instrument for measuring the surface tension of liquids

tensiometric

ˌten(t)-sē-ō-ˈme-trik 

adjective

tensiometry

ˌten(t)-sē-ˈä-mə-trē 

noun

Examples of tensiometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These meters often use electrical conductivity or tensiometer tubes that measure the suction exerted by the soil on the water, which indicates the soil moisture available to plants. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

tensi- (extracted from tension entry 1) + -o- + -meter

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tensiometer

• anemometer
• audiometer
• densitometer
• diffractometer
• dilatometer
• dynamometer
• electrometer
• extensometer
• goniometer
• magnetometer
• penetrometer
• piezometer

Medical Definition

tensiometer

noun

ten·​si·​om·​e·​ter ˌten(t)-sē-ˈäm-ət-ər 

1

: a device for measuring tension

2

: an instrument for measuring the surface tension of liquids