telemetry

noun

te·​lem·​e·​try tə-ˈle-mə-trē 

1

: the science or process of telemetering data

2

: data transmitted by telemetry

3

: biotelemetry

telemetric

ˌte-lə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

telemetrically

ˌte-lə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Telemetry is used to obtain data on the internal functioning of missiles, rockets, unmanned planes, satellites, and probes, providing data on such factors as position, altitude, and speed as well as conditions like temperature, air pressure, wind speed, and radiation. Weather forecasters rely on telemetry to map weather patterns. Astronauts on the space shuttle are monitored with telemetry that measures and transmits readings on their blood pressure, respiration, and heart rates. Similar kinds of telemetry are used by biologists to study animals in the wild and keep track of their populations and movements. Telemetry is also widely used in modern agriculture, often to regulate irrigation.

Examples of telemetry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lowe and his students have spent 15 years tracking juvenile white sharks in Southern California waters using acoustic and satellite telemetry. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

So critically, that kind of voluntary agreement doesn’t mention anything about vehicle data and telemetry, and this is going to become very important soon in this part of the story. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 1 July 2026

Without that compact, telemetry proliferates faster than accountability, and the program becomes another dashboard rather than an operational discipline. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Class-Leading Telemetry Centered on the front panel is a color touch screen showing real-time AC and solar inputs, inverter output, battery percentage, charging behavior, temperature, and historical telemetry information. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

telemetry

noun

te·​lem·​e·​try tə-ˈlem-ə-trē 

1

: the process of transmitting data by telemeter

2

: data transmitted by telemetry

Medical Definition

telemetry

noun

te·​lem·​e·​try tə-ˈlem-ə-trē 

plural telemetries

1

: the science or process of telemetering data

2

: data transmitted by telemetry

3

: biotelemetry

telemetric

ˌtel-ə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

telemetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb