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

Each aircraft can potentially act as a node in the network, passing telemetry, sensor information, location data, and mission updates across the swarm. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026

Insist on real-time visibility before automation, on plant-wide telemetry before line-level robots and on outcomes measured in recovered tons and bale quality—not in machine uptime. — R. Paul Singh, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

After sending the telemetry into robotic hand, the co-author could control it without touching it. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

During the livestream, telemetry data showed that at least four engines failed to ignite when the startup sequence occurred. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 16 July 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