seismometer

noun

seis·​mom·​e·​ter sīz-ˈmä-mə-tər 

sīs-

: a seismograph measuring the actual movements of the ground (as on the earth or the moon)

seismometric

ˌsīz-mə-ˈme-trik 

ˌsīs-

adjective

Examples of seismometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Passing the test One of the nicer discoveries in seismology has been the realization that the same fiber-optic cables that rush cat pics to your LAN can act as seismometers. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026

Treaties that curtailed the Cold War arms race were only possible because new technologies, like satellites and seismometers, allowed each side to verify the other’s compliance. — Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

Yellowstone is monitored using seismometers, GPS stations, satellite observations, and instruments that track water and gas chemistry. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

But before 2011, researchers said, there may well have been a whole lot of earthquakes in Lake Michigan that seismometers just weren't sensitive enough to pick up. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for seismometer

• barometer
• chronometer
• geometer
• hydrometer
• hygrometer
• kilometer
• micrometer
• odometer
• photometer
• psychrometer
• pycnometer
• pyrometer

Kids Definition

seismometer

noun

seis·​mom·​e·​ter sīz-ˈmäm-ət-ər 

sīs-

: a seismograph that measures the actual movements of the ground