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
As typewriters once symbolized the writer, slide rules symbolized the engineer.
—
Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
Kare is himself a sci-fi hound and a collector of sci-fi memorabilia, as well as an aficionado of antique engineering instruments, including a helical slide rule and an Edison-era voltmeter, both on display in his living room .
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011
In an email, Professor Pasquale explained the pedagogical value of slide rules.
—Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
Certain threw his briefcase, slide rule, pencils and charts behind him, not wanting any loose items stabbing him.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
For a more minimalist look, the 32 mm Navitimers feature the beaded bezel but not the slide rule.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2023
Many of us would now struggle to perform the mental arithmetic which our parents and grandparents learned, and would be stumped if asked to perform calculations with a slide rule.
—Calum Chace, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2023
Over a four-decade career that began with slide rules and moved into the age of computer modeling, Ms. Norwood became known as a resourceful problem solver who often hit upon simple but effective solutions.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2023
When a violation of the slide rule occurs, the offending runner and the batter-runner will be called out.
—Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2022
Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
Kare is himself a sci-fi hound and a collector of sci-fi memorabilia, as well as an aficionado of antique engineering instruments, including a helical slide rule and an Edison-era voltmeter, both on display in his living room .
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011
In an email, Professor Pasquale explained the pedagogical value of slide rules.
—Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
Certain threw his briefcase, slide rule, pencils and charts behind him, not wanting any loose items stabbing him.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
For a more minimalist look, the 32 mm Navitimers feature the beaded bezel but not the slide rule.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2023
Many of us would now struggle to perform the mental arithmetic which our parents and grandparents learned, and would be stumped if asked to perform calculations with a slide rule.
—Calum Chace, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2023
Over a four-decade career that began with slide rules and moved into the age of computer modeling, Ms. Norwood became known as a resourceful problem solver who often hit upon simple but effective solutions.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2023
When a violation of the slide rule occurs, the offending runner and the batter-runner will be called out.
—Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2022
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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Cite this Entry
“Slide rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slide%20rule. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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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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