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slide rule
noun
: a manual device used for calculation that consists in its simple form of a ruler and a movable middle piece which are graduated with similar logarithmic scales
Examples of slide rule in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indeed, the term itself appears to have been coined just after World War II, at which point shipbuilders were already doing it at enormous scale to lengthen warships, in some of the most complex engineering work ever attempted in the slide rule era.
—New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2024
There’s no need to turn back the clock to the days of typewriters and slide rules, but our universities could benefit from prioritizing good old-fashioned interaction.
—Aden Barton, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
McNeil continued to yell at second base umpire Jonathan Parra while the Mets challenged the force out call for a slide rule violation.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2024
As typewriters once symbolized the writer, slide rules symbolized the engineer.
—Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slide rule
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slide rule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1663, in the meaning defined above
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Dictionary Entries Near slide rule
Cite this Entry
“Slide rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slide%20rule. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
slide rule
noun
: an instrument used for calculation that in its simple form consists of a ruler with a movable middle piece
More from Merriam-Webster on slide rule
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slide rule
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