thermistor
noun
therm·is·tor
ˈthər-ˌmi-stər 
: an electrical resistor making use of a semiconductor whose resistance varies sharply in a known manner with the temperature
Examples of thermistor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The steam wand is big and powerful and, helpfully, comes with a thermistor built into it.
—
Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
The problem is not with your car’s thermistor itself; in fact, thermistors are typically accurate, not to mention small and cheap to make.
—Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 1 July 2024
The Weather Channel says that because of this placement, the thermistors are measuring the temp of the heat radiating from the ground.
—Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 1 July 2024
At the same time, thermistors buried several meters into the ice at the AMIGOS site recorded a pulse of warmth—suggesting that water from snowmelt was percolating down.
—Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 1 July 2012
Tiny glass bead thermistors measure the air’s temperature up to 30 times per second to make sure everything is A-OK.
—Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 26 July 2023
New inventions such as the thermistor, thermocouple, thermopile, digital and platinum sensors all offer a wide range of benefits for different situations and environments.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2018
Most laptops sense heat on a single point where a thermistor is placed.
—Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld, 2 June 2020
Perhaps most important is temperature control: A comfortable room temperature is selected, and a thermistor (9) in the unit allows the device to automatically switch on and off to maintain it.
—Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2017
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Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
The problem is not with your car’s thermistor itself; in fact, thermistors are typically accurate, not to mention small and cheap to make.
—Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 1 July 2024
The Weather Channel says that because of this placement, the thermistors are measuring the temp of the heat radiating from the ground.
—Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 1 July 2024
At the same time, thermistors buried several meters into the ice at the AMIGOS site recorded a pulse of warmth—suggesting that water from snowmelt was percolating down.
—Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 1 July 2012
Tiny glass bead thermistors measure the air’s temperature up to 30 times per second to make sure everything is A-OK.
—Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 26 July 2023
New inventions such as the thermistor, thermocouple, thermopile, digital and platinum sensors all offer a wide range of benefits for different situations and environments.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2018
Most laptops sense heat on a single point where a thermistor is placed.
—Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld, 2 June 2020
Perhaps most important is temperature control: A comfortable room temperature is selected, and a thermistor (9) in the unit allows the device to automatically switch on and off to maintain it.
—Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Thermistor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermistor. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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thermistor
noun
therm·is·tor
ˈthər-ˌmis-tər
: an electrical resistor making use of a semiconductor whose resistance varies sharply in a known manner with the temperature
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