sensor

noun sen·sor \ ˈsen-ˌsȯr , ˈsen(t)-sər \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

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

See sensor defined for English-language learners

See sensor defined for kids

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

And here’s a quick rundown of some of the top options: iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus Apple’s newest (PRODUCT)RED additions, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus offer high-end power, up to 256GB of storage, and Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "5 (PRODUCT)RED Devices Apple Is Selling to Help the Fight Against AIDS," 9 Apr. 2018
In 1997, mechanical engineer Frank Tatom asked Samaras to deploy a seismic sensor—dubbed the snail—near a tornado.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "How a Legendary Storm Chaser Changed the Face of Tornado Science," 5 Apr. 2018
The company began adding some of its own chips to Macs late last year, but those are not Intel-replacements and instead help with some tasks like the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the latest MacBook Pros.

— eli blumenthal, USA TODAY, "Apple's reported plan to ditch Intel for laptops wallops shares," 2 Apr. 2018
Imagine having a wearable sensor that would allow the squad leader to know when one of his or her soldiers was in danger of dehydration.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Chris Kirchhoff, formerly of the Pentagon’s Silicon Valley office, on Recode Decode," 31 Mar. 2018
Butterfly doors are unlocked and actuated by a fingerprint sensor and a biometric facial-recognition system hidden on the B-pillar.

— andrew wendler, Car and Driver, "Genesis Essentia Concept: High-Tech Coupe Dreams," 29 Mar. 2018
The new iPad will have an eight megapixel camera, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and up to 10 hours of battery life.

— Time, "Apple Just Announced a New Cheaper iPad. Here's What to Know About It," 27 Mar. 2018
Applying that concept to industrial machinery is the basis for the industrial internet of things — any piece of equipment with a sensor for computer interface.

— karen herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Gateway Technical College developing new degree programs for Foxconn 'smart manufacturing' jobs," 21 Mar. 2018
Critics gave last year’s Galaxy S8 phone rave reviews, with one caveat: The fingerprint sensor was a few millimeters to the right of the camera lens.

— brian x. chen, New York Times, "A Review of the Samsung Galaxy S9, in Emoji," 8 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1928

See Words from the same year

sensor Synonyms

Synonyms

detector;

Related Words

eye;

electric eye, photoelectric cell;

alarm (also alarum), trigger;

SENSOR Defined for English Language Learners

sensor

noun

Definition of sensor for English Language Learners

: a device that detects or senses heat, light, sound, motion, etc., and then reacts to it in a particular way

Medical Dictionary

sensor

noun sen·sor \ ˈsen-ˌsȯ(ə)r , ˈsen(t)-sər \

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