thermometer

noun ther·mom·e·ter \ thər-ˈmä-mə-tər , thə-ˈmä-mə-tər \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of thermometer

: an instrument for determining temperature; especially : one consisting of a glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered scale and containing a liquid (such as mercury or colored alcohol) that is sealed in and rises and falls with changes of temperature

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thermometric

play \ˌthər-mə-ˈme-trik\ adjective

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thermometrically

play \ˌthər-mə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See thermometer defined for English-language learners

See thermometer defined for kids

Recent Examples of thermometer from the Web

Place the roast in a shallow baking dish and cook, uncovered, for about 1 hour, until the meat is nicely browned and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast registers 130 degrees.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Tuscan Pork Roast," 11 Apr. 2018
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked though and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thighs registers 165 degrees.

— karoline boehm goodnick, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: Greek-inspired chicken bakes over orzo with olives, capers, and lemon," 9 Apr. 2018
Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thighs (do not touch bones) reaches 165 degrees, 35 to 40 minutes.

— daniel neman, charlotteobserver, "Cooking from scratch faces off with semi-homemade | Charlotte Observer," 20 Mar. 2018
Roast until a skewer easily passes through meat (a thermometer inserted into the center should register 200–205°), 4–5 hours.

— chris morocco, Bon Appetit, "Pork Shoulder Braciola with Ragù," 19 Mar. 2018
Enter the ThermoWorks ThermoPop, a pocket thermometer that comes in a wide range of colors and will tell you the difference between cold-n-bloody, over-cooked, and just-right.

— paula forbes, GQ, "The Best Gear for Cooking a Restaurant-Quality Steak at Home," 7 Mar. 2018
One crime in particular may be regarded as partly thermometer-dependent — car theft.

— martin weil, Washington Post, "January’s average temperature hides its highs and lows," 29 Jan. 2018
Roast 2 hours or until thermometer registers 145 degrees (about 15 to 18 minutes per pound).

— atlanta life, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner," 26 Jan. 2018
Bill Belichick apparently tried to play mind games with the Jets, reportedly ordering thermometers to be installed near New York’s tunnel to reflect the 13-degree temperature and minus-1 wind chill at Foxborough.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "40 things we learned in Week 17 of the 2017 NFL season," 1 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of thermometer

French thermomètre, from Greek thermē heat + French -o- + -mètre -meter — more at therm

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First Known Use: 1633

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THERMOMETER Defined for English Language Learners

thermometer

noun

Definition of thermometer for English Language Learners

: an instrument used for measuring temperature

THERMOMETER Defined for Kids

thermometer

noun ther·mom·e·ter \ thər-ˈmä-mə-tər , thə-ˈmä- \

Definition of thermometer for Students

: an instrument for measuring temperature

Word Root of thermometer

The Greek word metron, meaning “measure,” gives us the root metr. Words from the Greek metron have something to do with measuring. A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature. A diameter is the measurement across the center of a circle. The metric system is a system used for measuring size, weight, and volume. A perimeter is the measurement of the outside of a figure or shape.

Medical Dictionary

thermometer

noun ther·mom·e·ter \ thə(r)-ˈmäm-ət-ər \

medical Definition of thermometer

: an instrument for determining temperature that usually consists either of a device providing a digital readout or of a glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered scale and containing a liquid (as mercury or colored alcohol) that is sealed in and rises and falls with changes of temperature