galvanometer

noun

gal·va·nom·e·ter ˌgal-və-ˈnä-mə-tər

: an instrument for detecting or measuring a small electric current by movements of a magnetic needle or of a coil in a magnetic field

galvanometric

ˌgal-və-nō-ˈme-trik

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Willem Einthoven’s string galvanometer was sensitive enough to measure the tiny but regular voltage fluctuations in a single heartbeat. —

IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2021 These red rays fall on two thin gold leaves attached to the wires of a tiny galvanometer. —

Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2020 The Cybraphon’s emotions are accessible via a Twitter feed but also appear on a on a 100 year-old galvanometer housed in the wardrobe (pictured above). —

Priya Ganapati, WIRED, 31 July 2009

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

Word History

Etymology

galvan(ic) + -o- + -meter

Note: Term apparently introduced by the British scientist William Haseldine Pepys (1775-1856) in "Description of a newly invented Galvanometer, and an Account of some Experiments with Voltaʼs Pile upon several of the Gases," The Philosophical Magazine, vol. 10 (1801), pp. 38-42.

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of galvanometer was in 1802

See more words from the same year