po·lar·im·e·ter
ˌpō-lə-ˈri-mə-tər 
1
: an instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light or the proportion of polarized light in a partially polarized ray
2
: a polariscope for measuring the amount of rotation of the plane of polarization especially by liquids
po·lar·im·e·try
ˌpōləˈrimə‧trē
plural -es
: the art or process of using the polarimeter (as in measuring the polarization of light)
Examples of polarimeter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
The two polarimeter instruments on PACE will help scientists study the particle size, composition and amount of aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere across an array of wavelengths to provide a detailed portrait of the most problematic areas.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024
Two polarimeter instruments are also onboard–Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2 and Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024
At the same time, PACE will use two other instruments, known as multi-angle polarimeters, to take snapshots of the atmosphere from different angles.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024
The polarimeters will examine the composition, movement and interaction of particles of sea salt, smoke, pollutants and dust, a group collectively called aerosols, by measuring light properties.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024
Researchers have demonstrated optical devices such as spectrometers and polarimeters made from stacks of these flat surfaces.
—Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2019
So astronomers used the VLT to stare at LAB-1 for 15 hours, using a polarimeter (a device for measuring polarized light).
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2011
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Noun
The spacecraft also has two polarimeter instruments, Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2 and Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
The two polarimeter instruments on PACE will help scientists study the particle size, composition and amount of aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere across an array of wavelengths to provide a detailed portrait of the most problematic areas.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024
Two polarimeter instruments are also onboard–Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2 and Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024
At the same time, PACE will use two other instruments, known as multi-angle polarimeters, to take snapshots of the atmosphere from different angles.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024
The polarimeters will examine the composition, movement and interaction of particles of sea salt, smoke, pollutants and dust, a group collectively called aerosols, by measuring light properties.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024
Researchers have demonstrated optical devices such as spectrometers and polarimeters made from stacks of these flat surfaces.
—Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2019
So astronomers used the VLT to stare at LAB-1 for 15 hours, using a polarimeter (a device for measuring polarized light).
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Polarimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarimeter. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polarimeter
noun
po·lar·im·e·ter
ˌpō-lə-ˈrim-ət-ər
1
: an instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light or the proportion of polarized light in a partially polarized ray
2
: a polariscope for measuring the amount of rotation of the plane of polarization especially by liquids
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