altimeter

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noun al·tim·e·ter \ al-ˈti-mə-tər , ˈal-tə-ˌmē-tər \

Definition of altimeter

:an instrument for measuring altitude; especially :an aneroid barometer designed to register changes in atmospheric pressure accompanying changes in altitude

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altimetry

play \al-ˈti-mə-trē\ noun

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There are, too, actual pieces of actual ships — an altimeter cover flown aboard Apollo 9 and signed by mission commander Jim McDivitt, a pyrotechnic battery from the Apollo 11 lunar module.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "Space-Exploration Artifacts Are Worth So Much Money for a Reason," 14 July 2017
The ocean is big, deep and impermeable to the laser altimeter that made mapping our less watery neighbor planets possible.

— kyle frischkorn, Smithsonian, "Why The First Complete Map of the Ocean Floor Is Stirring Controversial Waters," 13 July 2017
Mr. Davidson used a Ziplevel altimeter to determine the elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of various parts of the house — most critically the basement floor.

— david w. dunlap, New York Times, "Spared by Sandy, but Still Agonizing Over What Comes Next," 31 May 2017
The 11-foot-long arm is riding aboard along with six other science gadgets, which include cameras, spectrometers, a laser altimeter, and an X-ray imaging system.

— nadia drake, National Geographic, "10 Things to Know About NASA's Mission to Taste an Asteroid," 7 Sep. 2016
TIRED: Complex procedure for calibrating altimeter and barometer.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Wired Test: Explore," 1 July 2006

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'altimeter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of altimeter

Latin altus + English -meter

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First Known Use: 1904

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altimeter

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noun

Definition of altimeter for English Language Learners

: an instrument used for measuring the altitude of something (such as an airplane or a mountain)

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altimeter

Definition of altimeter

altimetry

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Origin and Etymology of altimeter

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altimeter

Definition of altimeter for English Language Learners

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altimeter

Definition of altimeter

altimetry

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