theodolite

noun

the·od·o·lite | \ thē-ˈä-də-ˌlīt

How to pronounce theodolite (audio)

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Definition of theodolite

: a surveyor's instrument for measuring horizontal and usually also vertical angles

Examples of theodolite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Milazzo would walk out into a field and hold a pole marked with measurements, while his grandfather, Richard Hall, took elevations using an instrument called a theodolite. — Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, "Meet the Dallas publisher looking for great authors you’ve never heard of," 16 Mar. 2021 The teams from China and Nepal used everything from old-fashioned trigonometry and surveying equipment like the theodolite, to satellite positioning and gravity meters. — Eric Bellman, WSJ, "Mount Everest Just Got Taller," 8 Dec. 2020 Since few referees are equipped with theodolites, enforcing this rule has been hard. — The Economist, "High-tech rugby Sensors, data and the self-policing rugby match," 14 Nov. 2019 By the 1930s, theodolites were supplemented with cameras and ground expeditions with aerial photography. — Ipsita Chakravarty, Quartz India, "How colonialism cost the Himalayas their remoteness," 10 June 2019 These models are used in conjunction with a digital theodolite that measures vertical and horizontal to record the features archaeological sites, according to Darnell. — James Rogers, Fox News, "Yale archaeologists make amazing ancient Egyptian 'billboard' discovery," 22 June 2017

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

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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Last Updated

29 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Theodolite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theodolite. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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