radiometer

noun

ra·​di·​om·​e·​ter ˌrā-dē-ˈä-mə-tər 

: an instrument for detecting and usually for measuring the intensity of radiant energy

radiometry

ˌrā-dē-ˈä-mə-trē 

noun

Illustration of radiometer

Examples of radiometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The mission was supposed to carry six instruments to the moon's surface — five Canadian payloads and a NASA radiometer flying under a NASA-CSA agreement. —Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026

The satellite’s microwave radiometer can detect subtle variations in sea-surface salinity, which is critical for studying ocean circulation, freshwater fluxes, and climate patterns. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025

As its name implies, placing the radiometer in light produces a measurable change: the blades start spinning. —Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025

Juno also has a magnetometer, a gravity science system and a microwave radiometer. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radiometer

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

Kids Definition

radiometer

noun

ra·​di·​om·​e·​ter ˌrād-ē-ˈäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for measuring the strength of radiant energy

radiometric

ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈme-trik

adjective

radiometry

-ˈäm-ə-trē 

noun

Medical Definition

radiometer

noun

ra·​di·​om·​e·​ter ˌrād-ē-ˈäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for measuring the intensity of radiant energy

also : an instrument for measuring electromagnetic radiation or sound waves