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TAKE THE QUIZinterferometer
noun
in·ter·fer·om·e·ter
ˌin-tər-fə-ˈrä-mə-tər 
ˌin-tə-,
-ˌfi-ˈrä-
: an apparatus that utilizes the interference of waves (as of light) for precise determinations (as of distance or wavelength)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Using a modern sub-millimeter interferometer located in the Atacama Desert of Chile, scientists determined the features of the complex galaxy.
—
Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2023
To test their theory, the researchers used a device called a laser interferometer, which splits a laser beam and sends it down two 40-meter-long tunnels to reflect off a mirror and back again.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2015
The level of seismic isolation demanded by the LIGO interferometer is not easy to achieve and requires complex and precise machinery.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2016
Any passing gravitational wave will alter the pattern, which the interferometer will pick up.
—Tim Hornyak, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2016
The Virgo interferometer is an observatory for gravitational waves, set among Tuscany’s rolling hills.
—WIRED, 9 Jan. 2023
The astronomers in question observed the star using an interferometer, allowing extremely precise measurements of the star's size, which in turn yielded very accurate numbers for its temperature and mass.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2011
The heart of the satellite is a new technology known as a Ka-band radar interferometer (KaRin).
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 16 Dec. 2022
This 263-dish radio- and millimeter-wave interferometer will observe star-forming regions, active black holes and light associated with exploding stars with 10 times the sensitivity and resolution of the VLA.
—Aaron S. Evans, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2021
See More
Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2023
To test their theory, the researchers used a device called a laser interferometer, which splits a laser beam and sends it down two 40-meter-long tunnels to reflect off a mirror and back again.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2015
The level of seismic isolation demanded by the LIGO interferometer is not easy to achieve and requires complex and precise machinery.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2016
Any passing gravitational wave will alter the pattern, which the interferometer will pick up.
—Tim Hornyak, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2016
The Virgo interferometer is an observatory for gravitational waves, set among Tuscany’s rolling hills.
—WIRED, 9 Jan. 2023
The astronomers in question observed the star using an interferometer, allowing extremely precise measurements of the star's size, which in turn yielded very accurate numbers for its temperature and mass.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2011
The heart of the satellite is a new technology known as a Ka-band radar interferometer (KaRin).
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 16 Dec. 2022
This 263-dish radio- and millimeter-wave interferometer will observe star-forming regions, active black holes and light associated with exploding stars with 10 times the sensitivity and resolution of the VLA.
—Aaron S. Evans, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interferometer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1897, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near interferometer
Cite this Entry
“Interferometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interferometer. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
interferometer
noun
in·ter·fer·om·e·ter
ˌint-ə(r)-fə-ˈräm-ət-ər
-ˌfir-ˈäm-
: an instrument that uses the interference of waves (as of light) for making exact measurements (as of wavelength)
Medical Definition
interferometer
noun
in·ter·fer·om·e·ter
ˌint-ə(r)-fə-ˈräm-ət-ər, -ˌfir-ˈäm-
: an instrument that utilizes the interference of waves (as of light) for precise determination especially of wavelength, spectral fine structure, indices of refraction, and very small linear displacements
More from Merriam-Webster on interferometer
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interferometer
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