oximeter

noun

ox·​im·​e·​ter äk-ˈsi-mə-tər 

plural oximeters

: a noninvasive medical device for measuring continuously or intermittently the degree of oxygen saturation of circulating blood or a localized region of tissue

especially : pulse oximeter

oximetric

ˌäk-sə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

oximetric sensors

Examples of oximeter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These finger oximeters are less sensitive in people with darker skin pigment, which likely leads to underestimates of severity. — Erika Yamazaki, The Conversation, 6 May 2026

Pulse oximeters, glucose monitoring systems, body scales and more are also available. — ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026

The problem is that decades of research show oximeters overestimate oxygen levels in people with darker skin. — Brad Porter, Forbes.com, 6 Mar. 2026

The oximeter reveals that her blood is only 90 percent saturated with oxygen, well below the healthy range of 95 to 100 percent. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "an instrument for measuring atmospheric or dissolved oxygen," from oxi- (respelling of oxy by assimilation to the linking vowel -i-) + -meter

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing oximeter

• pulse oximeter

Rhymes for oximeter

• amphitheater
• bolometer
• centimeter
• centimetre
• decimeter
• ergometer
• expositor
• gasometer
• gravimeter
• hexameter
• manometer
• milliliter

Kids Definition

oximeter

noun

ox·​im·​e·​ter äk-ˈsim-ə-tər 

: a medical device for measuring the amount of oxygen in blood circulating in the body

Medical Definition

oximeter

noun

ox·​im·​e·​ter äk-ˈsim-ət-ər 

: a noninvasive medical device for measuring continuously or intermittently the degree of oxygen saturation of circulating blood or a localized region of tissue

especially : pulse oximeter

oximetric

ˌäk-sə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

oximetric sensors