spectrometer

noun

spec·​trom·​e·​ter spek-ˈträ-mə-tər 

1

: an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra

2

: any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (such as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured

nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

spectrometric

ˌspek-trə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

spectrometry

spek-ˈträ-mə-trē 

noun

Examples of spectrometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Huey suggested turning on the mass spectrometer, however, after everyone noticed the plume. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 26 June 2026

To catch the faint signals of early-stage tumors, doctors required huge apparatus packed with complex optical paths, expensive spectrometers, and sensitive prisms. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026

Using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, for example, the spectral biosignatures of carbon dioxide and methane may overlap, leading to the gasses being confused with each other and signs of life being dismissed or lost. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 June 2026

The isotope can only be directly detected with equipment such as a mass spectrometer, which uses absorbed or emitted radiation to determine the chemical makeup of a target sample. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spectrometer

• barometer
• chronometer
• geometer
• hydrometer
• hygrometer
• kilometer
• micrometer
• odometer
• photometer
• psychrometer
• pycnometer
• pyrometer

Kids Definition

spectrometer

noun

spec·​trom·​e·​ter spek-ˈträm-ət-ər 

1

: an instrument for producing a spectrum

2

: an instrument that spreads particles or radiation into an ordered sequence (as by mass or energy)

Medical Definition

spectrometer

noun

spec·​trom·​e·​ter spek-ˈträm-ət-ər 

1

: an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra

2

: any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured

nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

spectrometric

ˌspek-trə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

spectrometry

spek-ˈträm-ə-trē 

noun

plural spectrometries