theodolite
noun
the·od·o·lite
thē-ˈä-də-ˌlīt 
: a surveyor's instrument for measuring horizontal and usually also vertical angles
Examples of theodolite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lyra used a state-of-the-art theodolite, a precision instrument that computes angles in both the horizontal and vertical planes, and Rondon had a compass and a barometer to gauge the river’s altitude above sea level.
—
Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
When Romero leaned away from the screen, one eyebrow drifting upward, Sanchez scrolled down the webpage and began circling his mouse over a picture of a construction worker in an orange vest peering into a theodolite, an instrument surveyors use to measure angles.
—Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2021
The theodolite is used to measure angles and geographical locations for missile launchers.
—Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2023
Manual measurements using a device called a theodolite—difficult to use in dark, cramped tunnels—have been replaced by laser scanners, which have improved markedly in the past few decades.
—WIRED, 17 Jan. 2023
The optical instrument, a theodolite from the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile, had been sent to Switzerland to its original supplier for repairs, but the manufacturer then shipped it to its facility in the Chinese city of Qingdao, per the report.
—Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2023
Washburn used a 40-pound surveying instrument called a theodolite to measure the angles between each of the control points, providing him with the relative position and height of each set of points.
—Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 26 Feb. 2019
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, 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, 8 Dec. 2020
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Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
When Romero leaned away from the screen, one eyebrow drifting upward, Sanchez scrolled down the webpage and began circling his mouse over a picture of a construction worker in an orange vest peering into a theodolite, an instrument surveyors use to measure angles.
—Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2021
The theodolite is used to measure angles and geographical locations for missile launchers.
—Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2023
Manual measurements using a device called a theodolite—difficult to use in dark, cramped tunnels—have been replaced by laser scanners, which have improved markedly in the past few decades.
—WIRED, 17 Jan. 2023
The optical instrument, a theodolite from the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile, had been sent to Switzerland to its original supplier for repairs, but the manufacturer then shipped it to its facility in the Chinese city of Qingdao, per the report.
—Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2023
Washburn used a 40-pound surveying instrument called a theodolite to measure the angles between each of the control points, providing him with the relative position and height of each set of points.
—Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 26 Feb. 2019
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, 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, 8 Dec. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theodolite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin theodelitus
First Known Use
1571, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near theodolite
Cite this Entry
“Theodolite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theodolite. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
theodolite
noun
the·od·o·lite
thē-ˈäd-ᵊl-ˌīt
: a very precise surveyor's transit
More from Merriam-Webster on theodolite
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about theodolite
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