Definition of sensor
1 : a device that responds to a physical stimulus (such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion) and transmits a resulting impulse (as for measurement or operating a control)
2 : sense organ
From the M-W Editors
Examples of sensor in a Sentence
Image sensors are used in digital cameras.
Infrared sensors can track an object's movement.
Recent Examples of sensor from the Web
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The HyperAdapt shoe, in which sensors inside the shoe detect the foot and activate a mechanism to tighten the laces, was a billboard release from the company, inciting both nostalgia and the desire for the new.
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The BBC reported that the robot incorporates high-tech features, including face-recognition software, high definition video capture and infrared and ultrasonic sensors.
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The Bigfoot system would use glucose data from the sensor to help patients determine how much insulin to use, partly via a smartphone app.
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Sensors and cameras on board the 2-foot-by-2-foot drone, which weighs about 10 pounds, were able to give inspectors information that would have previously required them to utilize a dive team, a helicopter, and a boat.
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David Duma, the office’s acting director, wrote Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on June 6 that based on the positive test results and improvements to U.S. sensors and radar, his office upgraded its assessment of the system’s potential effectiveness.
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The company provides technology solutions, including GroundAware, a ground surveillance sensor system active since 2013.
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Packed inside the polycarbonate bag is a biometric fingerprint lock, GPS tracker, integrated scale, proximity sensor, anti-theft alert, battery that can charge your phone up to ten times, and a Bluetooth speaker.
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A standard 6.5-inch touch screen (with pinch and swipe function and proximity sensor) seemed a bit small by 2017 standards, but the intuitive menu structure and large virtual buttons made up for that minor shortcoming.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sensor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Sensors are used today almost everywhere. Radar guns bounce microwaves off moving cars. A burglar alarm may use a photosensor to detect when a beam of light has been broken, or may use ultrasonic sound waves that bounce off moving objects. Still other sensors may detect pressure (barometers) or chemicals (Breathalyzers and smoke detectors). Stud finders, used by carpenters to locate wooden studs under a wall, may employ magnets or radar. Wired gloves, which relay information about the position of the fingers, are used in virtual-reality environments. A cheap car alarm may be nothing but a shock sensor, in which a strong vibration will cause two metal surfaces to come together.
Origin and Etymology of sensor
Latin sentire to perceive + English 1-or — more at sense
SENSOR Defined for English Language Learners
sensor
playDefinition of sensor for English Language Learners
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: a device that detects or senses heat, light, sound, motion, etc., and then reacts to it in a particular way
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of sensor
: a device that responds to a physical stimulus (as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion) and transmits a resulting impulse (as for measurement or operating a control); also : sense organ
Learn More about sensor
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See words that rhyme with sensor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sensor Spanish Central: Translation of sensor Nglish: Translation of sensor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sensor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sensor
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