potentiometer

noun

po·​ten·​ti·​om·​e·​ter pə-ˌten(t)-shē-ˈä-mə-tər 

1

: an instrument for measuring electromotive forces

2

: voltage divider

potentiometric

pə-ˌten(t)-sh(ē-)ə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

Examples of potentiometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the control front, the X20 introduces magnetic TMR thumbsticks, replacing the carbon-film potentiometers that made the original Xbox Ally more prone to stick drift and physical wear. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026

The device features an analog joystick for navigation, as well as a potentiometer for tweaking settings and control of functions. — Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2025

Yet the dash lights, sound system, and climate-control potentiometer, for example, never flare or spike strangely due to the higher-wattage output. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025

There’s a 32-step digital potentiometer for controlling the volume level and includes a push function for switching inputs. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

The numbers inside circles refer to the potentiometers used to set the values of parameters. — Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary potential + -o- + -meter

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for potentiometer

• anemometer
• audiometer
• densitometer
• diffractometer
• dilatometer
• dynamometer
• electrometer
• extensometer
• goniometer
• magnetometer
• penetrometer
• piezometer

Medical Definition

potentiometer

noun

po·​ten·​ti·​om·​e·​ter pə-ˌten-chē-ˈäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for measuring electromotive forces

potentiometric

-ch(ē-)ə-ˈme-trik 

adjective