seismometer

noun

seis·​mom·​e·​ter sīz-ˈmä-mə-tər How to pronounce seismometer (audio)
sīs-
: a seismograph measuring the actual movements of the ground (as on the earth or the moon)
seismometric adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Instead of taking seismic measurements at a single point, like a seismometer does, DAS is more like a miles-long string that forms one giant earthquake sensor. WIRED, 10 Feb. 2023 The InSight lander’s job is to detect these quakes with its seismometer, which it’s been doing since February 2019. Matt Simon, Wired, 22 July 2021 InSight has had its seismometer deployed for a few months now and the fourth planet is quiet. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2019 The lander’s incredibly sensitive seismometer, called the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure, could detect marsquakes from hundreds and thousands of miles away. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 21 Dec. 2022 For this mission, InSight will use three main instruments: First — a six-sensor seismometer called the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) to record seismic waves. Chelsea Gohd, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2018 Soon after that quake, giant for Mars, the mission began to prepare for the end, shutting down different parts of the lander in order to conserve battery power and keep the seismometer on as long as possible. Byeric Hand, science.org, 22 Dec. 2022 The seismometer was the last instrument on the probe running as dust built up on the lander’s solar panels. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 21 Dec. 2022 This summer, the lander had so little remaining power (less than 20% of the original generating capacity) that the agency turned off InSight's other science instruments to keep the seismometer running. PCMAG, 20 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seismometer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seismometer was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near seismometer

Cite this Entry

“Seismometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seismometer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

seismometer

noun
seis·​mom·​e·​ter sīz-ˈmäm-ət-ər How to pronounce seismometer (audio)
sīs-
: a seismograph that measures the actual movements of the ground

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