Richter scale

noun

Rich·​ter scale ˈrik-tər- 

: an open-ended logarithmic scale for expressing the magnitude of a seismic disturbance (such as an earthquake) in terms of the energy dissipated in it with 1.5 indicating the smallest earthquake that can be felt, 4.5 an earthquake causing slight damage, and 8.5 a very devastating earthquake

Word History

Etymology

Charles F. Richter

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Richter scale

noun

Rich·​ter scale ˈrik-tər- 

: a scale for expressing the strength of an earthquake