radiosonde

noun

ra·​dio·​sonde ˈrā-dē-ō-ˌsänd 

plural radiosondes

: a miniature radio transmitter that is carried aloft (as by an unpiloted balloon) with instruments for sensing and broadcasting atmospheric conditions

Examples of radiosonde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And same goes for the radiosonde itself—the mechanics that collect the data. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026

These balloons carry a device called a radiosonde that is used to collect upper-atmosphere temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind information to support forecasting. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

One key data source was the radiosonde—a box of instruments attached to weather balloons that measures temperature, pressure and other parameters. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 29 May 2026

Weather balloons, which are filled with hydrogen or helium, carry small instruments called radiosondes into the upper atmosphere to measure temperature, humidity and wind speed and transmit data back to the ground. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radiosonde

• correspond
• eurobond
• abscond
• beyond
• despond
• respond
• awned
• blond
• blonde
• bond
• conned
• dawned

Kids Definition

radiosonde

noun

ra·​dio·​sonde ˈrād-ē-ō-ˌsänd 

: a miniature radio transmitter that is carried aloft (as by a balloon) with instruments for sensing and broadcasting atmospheric conditions