accelerometer

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​om·​e·​ter ik-ˌse-lə-ˈrä-mə-tər 

ak-

: an instrument for measuring acceleration or for detecting and measuring vibrations

Examples of accelerometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For each study reviewed, the researchers made sure that steps were tracked using step-counting devices such as pedometers or accelerometers. —New Atlas, 26 July 2025

Each contains 14 distinct sensing channels, including seismometers and accelerometers, as well as pressure gauges to measure waves passing overhead. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 July 2025

Engineers used an accelerometer, a device that measures the vibration or acceleration of motion. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 25 June 2025

Physical activity was tracked using wrist accelerometers for a median of 30 days following discharge from the hospital. —American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French accéléromètre, from accélérer "to accelerate" (borrowed from Latin accelerāre) + -o- -o- + -mètre -meter

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for accelerometer

• interferometer
• potentiometer
• spectrophotometer
• anemometer
• audiometer
• densitometer
• diffractometer
• dilatometer
• dynamometer
• electrometer
• extensometer
• goniometer

Kids Definition

accelerometer

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​om·​e·​ter ik-ˌsel-ə-ˈräm-ət-ər 

ak-

: an instrument for measuring acceleration or for detecting and measuring vibrations

Medical Definition

accelerometer

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​om·​e·​ter ik-ˌsel-ə-ˈräm-ət-ər, ak- 

: an instrument for measuring acceleration or for detecting and measuring vibrations