magnetometer

noun

mag·​ne·​tom·​e·​ter ˌmag-nə-ˈtä-mə-tər How to pronounce magnetometer (audio)
: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity of a magnetic field
magnetometric adjective
magnetometry noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web And all of Iridium’s 60-plus satellites carry magnetometers for the AMPERE program, run by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which studies how energy enters the Earth’s ionosphere from its magnetosphere. Lyndie Chiou, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2023 The apps use a magnetometer to measure the magnetic field when your phone is placed near metal objects. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 30 Mar. 2023 Though Zhurong is primarily aimed at demonstrating and testing China’s technical prowess on Mars, the rover will use ground penetrating radar, a spectrometer and a magnetometer to explore the region’s geology and potentially to uncover signs of water. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2021 The underwater robot deployed by Singaporean vessel MV Swift Rescue provided the images of the wreckage, while the Indonesian vessel KRI Rigel had scanned the area where the submarine was believed to have sunk using multibeam sonar and a magnetometer, Tjahjanto said. Frank Miles, Fox News, 26 Apr. 2021 An underwater robot equipped with cameras and deployed by Singaporean vessel MV Swift Rescue provided the images, while the Indonesian vessel KRI Rigel had scanned the area where the submarine was believed to have sank using multibeam sonar and a magnetometer, Tjahjanto said. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Apr. 2021 Convention attendees entering Hall A to see the former president and other speakers will be screened through magnetometers and searched, according to NRA officials, who strongly encouraged people not to bring personal bags to speed up security processing. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Apr. 2023 Meanwhile, the magnetometer will help determine the size of the core and the ocean by measuring their separate contributions to the moon’s field. Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 5 Apr. 2023 Magnetic amplifiers and fluxgate magnetometers both make use of this phenomenon. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Apr. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magnetometer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnetometer was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near magnetometer

Cite this Entry

“Magnetometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetometer. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

magnetometer

noun
mag·​ne·​tom·​e·​ter ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ət-ər How to pronounce magnetometer (audio)
: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the strength of a magnetic field

Medical Definition

magnetometer

noun
mag·​ne·​tom·​e·​ter ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ət-ər How to pronounce magnetometer (audio)
: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity of a magnetic field
magnetometric adjective
magnetometry noun
plural magnetometries

More from Merriam-Webster on magnetometer

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