accelerometer

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​om·​e·​ter ik-ˌse-lə-ˈrä-mə-tər How to pronounce accelerometer (audio)
ak-
: an instrument for measuring acceleration or for detecting and measuring vibrations

Examples of accelerometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Onboard CPUs and GPUs, reinforcement learning (RL), physics engines, proprioception, computer vision with real-time object recognition, SLAM navigation, IMUs with gyros and accelerometers, tactile sensors, microcontrollers, servos, and batteries good for hours of runtime – the list goes on. Joe Salas august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025 Instead of using accelerometers and gyroscopes, a quantum sensor measures rotation and acceleration at the atomic level. Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2025 Though iPhones have accelerometers, too, Apple doesn’t use them for earthquake detection. Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025 Shaking things up Smartphones come with accelerometers, small devices that enable them to sense changes in motion. ArsTechnica, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for accelerometer

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French accéléromètre, from accélérer "to accelerate" (borrowed from Latin accelerāre) + -o- -o- + -mètre -meter

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accelerometer was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accelerometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accelerometer. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

accelerometer

noun
ac·​cel·​er·​om·​e·​ter ik-ˌsel-ə-ˈräm-ət-ər How to pronounce accelerometer (audio)
ak-
: an instrument for measuring acceleration or for detecting and measuring vibrations

Medical Definition

accelerometer

noun
ac·​cel·​er·​om·​e·​ter ik-ˌsel-ə-ˈräm-ət-ər, ak- How to pronounce accelerometer (audio)
: an instrument for measuring acceleration or for detecting and measuring vibrations

More from Merriam-Webster on accelerometer

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