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magnetometer
noun
mag·ne·tom·e·ter
ˌmag-nə-ˈtä-mə-tər
: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity of a magnetic field
Examples of magnetometer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those final additions included all but one of the mission's science instruments, a suite of cameras, spectrometers, and magnetometers to image Europa and measure the detailed composition of its icy shell.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 10 Oct. 2023
In this one-gyro mode, Hubble's control system would receive inputs from the single gyroscope in combination with magnetometers, Sun sensors, and star trackers.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
At that distance, Clipper’s magnetometer will be able to measure the depth and salinity of the moon’s ocean; its mass spectrometer will study the ocean’s chemical makeup; and its ultraviolet spectrograph will search for plumes of water vapor escaping through the icy shell.
—Gina Errico, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023
All three teams will launch their devices, known as magnetometers, in CubeSats.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Oct. 2023
The magnetometer can then measure the excited pair’s quantum state and derive information about the magnetic field.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Oct. 2023
Controlled entry and exits, bag searches and magnetometers are all commonplace -- and appear to have assisted in spotting Aispuro last week.
—Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2023
The standard addresses accelerometers, magnetometers, gyrometers/gyroscopes, accelerometer/magnetometer/gyroscope combination sensors, barometer/pressure sensors, hygrometer/humidity sensors, temperature sensors, light sensors, and proximity sensors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2022
Alongside a similar instrument on the Tianwen-1 orbiter, which will continue studying the planet from afar, the rover’s magnetometer could reveal the details of how Mars lost its magnetic field—and consequently its atmosphere and water—billions of years ago.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 14 May 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magnetometer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1827, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to magnetometer
Dictionary Entries Near magnetometer
Cite this Entry
“Magnetometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetometer. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
magnetometer
noun
mag·ne·tom·e·ter
ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ət-ər
: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the strength of a magnetic field
Medical Definition
magnetometer
noun
mag·ne·tom·e·ter
ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ət-ər
: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity of a magnetic field
More from Merriam-Webster on magnetometer
Nglish: Translation of magnetometer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about magnetometer
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