thermometer

noun

ther·​mom·​e·​ter thər-ˈmä-mə-tər 

thə-ˈmä-mə-tər

plural thermometers

: an instrument for determining temperature

specifically : one consisting of a sensor housed in a metal probe that registers a change in electrical resistance as a change in temperature

thermometric

ˌthər-mə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

thermometrically

ˌthər-mə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of thermometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cook the beef low and slow in a 275° F oven for 1¼ to 1½ hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the horizontal end of the tenderloin reads 125° F for rare or 135° F for medium-rare at the center. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026

Turn chops and cook until sauce is slightly thickened and chops register 145 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026

Raw beef was stored over raw vegetables, the ice machine was dirty and there was no thermometer in the reach-in cooler. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026

Bake for 10 more minutes, until cooked through (165 degrees on an instant-read meat thermometer) and crispy. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing thermometer

• clinical thermometer
• dry bulb thermometer
• forehead thermometer
• temporal artery thermometer
• temporal thermometer

Rhymes for thermometer

• barometer
• bolometer
• chronometer
• geometer
• hydrometer
• hygrometer
• kilometer
• micrometer
• odometer
• photometer
• psychrometer
• pycnometer

Kids Definition

thermometer

noun

ther·​mom·​e·​ter thə(r)-ˈmäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for measuring temperature

thermometric

ˌthər-mə-ˈme-trik 

adjective

Medical Definition

thermometer

noun

ther·​mom·​e·​ter thə(r)-ˈmäm-ət-ər 

: 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