spectrometer

noun

spec·trom·e·ter | \ spek-ˈträ-mə-tər

Definition of spectrometer

1 : an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra

2 : any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (such as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

Other Words from spectrometer More Example Sentences Learn More about spectrometer

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Other Words from spectrometer

spectrometric \ ˌspek-trə-ˈme-trik

\ adjective

spectrometry \ spek-ˈträ-mə-trē

\ noun

Examples of spectrometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Using a scientific instrument called a high-resolution mass spectrometer, the researchers conducted a chemical comparison of stormwater runoff from highways and the water from streams with dying coho. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, "Researchers Reveal Why Seattle Salmon Bite the Dust After Rainstorms," 7 Dec. 2020 For the study, researchers used an instrument called a spectrometer to measure how closely the color of the plants matched their environment, according to the statement. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, "Medicinal Plant May Have Evolved Camouflage to Evade Humans," 24 Nov. 2020 And an imaging spectrometer, like that used by Chang’e-4 to detect rocks that may have come from the deep lunar mantle, will be used to analyze the composition of the landing site and search for water-containing minerals. — Andrew Jones, Science, "China's new moon mission to return the first lunar samples since 1976," 23 Nov. 2020 Cassini's mass spectrometer detected a chemical signature of the same molecule, the researchers found. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Unusual molecule found in atmosphere on Saturn's moon Titan," 28 Oct. 2020 The team could measure this aboard the aircraft with a device called a mass spectrometer, which calculates molecular weight. — Matt Simon, Wired, "What Happens When You Fly a Science Plane Through Wildfire Smoke," 3 Nov. 2020 Claire measures methane using a device called an imaging spectrometer, which is essentially a camera that is sensitive to wavelengths of light invisible to humans. — Paul Tullis, Popular Science, "New satellites can pinpoint methane leaks to help us beat climate change," 30 Oct. 2020 Using an accelerator mass spectrometer, researchers can readily measure the radiocarbon in a sample. — Scott Hershberger, Scientific American, "How Do Scientists Determine the Ages of Human Ancestors, Fossilized Dinosaurs and Other Organisms?," 4 Aug. 2020 To find out how old the rocks were, colleagues in Australia used a mass spectrometer to analyze their chemical composition. — Cathleen O’grady, Science | AAAS, "Precarious rocks help refine earthquake hazard in California," 1 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spectrometer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near spectrometer

spectroheliokinematograph

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Cite this Entry

“Spectrometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectrometer. Accessed 25 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for spectrometer

spectrometer

noun

spec·trom·e·ter | \ spek-ˈträm-ət-ər

Medical Definition of spectrometer

1 : an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra

2 : any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

Other Words from spectrometer

spectrometric \ ˌspek-trə-ˈme-trik

\ adjective

spectrometry \ spek-ˈträm-ə-trē

\ noun, plural spectrometries

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