chronograph

1 of 2

noun (1)

chro·​no·​graph ˈkrä-nə-ˌgraf 

ˈkrō-

: an instrument for measuring and recording time intervals: such as

a

: an instrument having a revolving drum on which a stylus makes marks

b

: stopwatch

also : a watch incorporating the functions of a stopwatch

c

: an instrument for measuring the time of flight of projectiles

chronographic

ˌkrä-nə-ˈgra-fik 

ˌkrō-

adjective

chronography

krə-ˈnä-grə-fē 

noun

chronography

2 of 2

noun (2)

chro·​nog·​ra·​phy krə-ˈnä-grə-fē 

plural -es

1

obsolete : a record of past time : history

2

: the measurement by graphic methods of intervals of time (as in studying the successive phases of a rapid and complex motion) : the use of the chronograph

Examples of chronograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That same period saw the arrival of the collection’s first chronograph, Ref. 5980/1A, as Patek steadily expanded the family to include travel time, annual calendar, perpetual calendar and high-jewelry executions. — Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026

Chau recently bought the Omega Milano Cortina 2026 Seamaster and has long owned the brand’s White Side of the Moon Speedmaster, a beloved chronograph that’s now out of production. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

As a result, the Chronomat was born, a chronograph powered by a mechanical movement during the quartz-watch era that could withstand up to 20 g-forces. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 19 May 2026

When Vacheron Constantin launched the Overseas collection three decades ago, the models embodied the more than 270-year-old maison’s conception of an elegant traveling chronograph — rooted in the spirit of exploration and openness to the world. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably borrowed from French chronographe, from chrono- chrono- + -graphe -graph

Noun (2)

Middle French chronographie, from Greek chronographia, from chron- + -graphia -graphy

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chronograph

• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph
• hydrograph
• lithograph
• micrograph
• monograph
• multigraph

Kids Definition

chronograph

noun

chro·​no·​graph ˈkrän-ə-ˌgraf 

ˈkrō-nə-

: an instrument for measuring and recording stretches of time with exactness

chronographic

ˌkrän-ə-ˈgraf-ik 

ˌkrō-nə-

adjective

chronography

krə-ˈnäg-rə-fē 

noun

Medical Definition

chronograph

noun

chro·​no·​graph ˈkrän-ə-ˌgraf, ˈkrō-nə- 

: an instrument for measuring and recording time intervals: as

a

: an instrument having a revolving drum on which a stylus makes marks

b

: a watch incorporating the functions of a stopwatch

chronographic

ˌkrän-ə-ˈgraf-ik, ˌkrō-nə- 

adjective

chronography

krə-ˈnäg-rə-fē 

noun