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

Turn and continue cooking, turning every 2 minutes or so, until pork chops are deeply browned on both sides, 10–12 minutes (an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should register 145°). — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Another account, William Reports News, depicts the actor Frank George, whose YouTube channel shows commercials he’s made for joint massage cream, a professional meat thermometer, and an ear-cleaning device. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Michael checked his temperature; the thermometer read a hundred and five. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

The ice cream parlor’s Leawood location did not have a working food thermometer at the time of inspection, and no soap was found in the co-ed bathroom. — Joseph Hernandez august 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 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
• chronometer
• geometer
• hydrometer
• hygrometer
• kilometer
• micrometer
• odometer
• photometer
• psychrometer
• pycnometer
• pyrometer

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