A sensor is an instrument which reacts to certain physical conditions or impressions such as heat or light, and which is used to provide information.
The latest Japanese vacuum cleaners contain sensors that detect the amount of dustand type of floor.
...a light sensor.
sensor in British English
(ˈsɛnsə)
noun
anything, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives a signal or stimulus and responds to it
Word origin
C19: from Latin sēnsus perceived, from sentīre to observe
sensor in American English
(ˈsɛnsər; ˈsɛnˌsɔr)
noun
any of various devices designed to detect, measure, or record physical phenomena, as radiation, heat, or blood pressure, and to respond, as by transmitting information, initiating changes, or operating controls
Word origin
< L sensus, pp. of sentire, sense + -or
sensor in Mechanical Engineering
(sɛnsər)
Word forms: (regular plural) sensors
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Control, instrumentation and metrology)
A sensor is an instrument for detecting a quantity or quality, for example temperature or motion, and returning an electrical output.
The gun has a sensor that gauges the distance a person is away from it.
Strain can be measured by fiber-optic sensors embedded in the composite.
A sensor is an instrument for detecting a quantity or quality, for example temperature ormotion, and returning an electrical output.
COBUILD Collocations
sensor
motion sensor
Examples of 'sensor' in a sentence
sensor
This uses electronic sensors and big data software to pick out the smallest of airborne objects.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is detected by a sensor on the truck as the bin is lifted for emptying.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There are motion sensors and light switches.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Luxury touches include parking sensors and full leather and cloth inside.
The Sun (2013)
They had covered heat sensors with plastic bags and wandered off when smoke began billowing out.
The Sun (2011)
They also contain pressure sensors that provide feedback on movement and friction zones.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The researchers used drones and sensors to monitor the aftermath.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The bumper sensors detect objects and stairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The system relies on infrared lasers to detect electronic light sensors in these cameras.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Let us take the humble parking sensor as an example.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The pods also use heat sensors to find explosives in the soil.
The Sun (2011)
The sensor contains much less silicon than a banana and passes naturally through the body.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It can use its sensors day and night to spy on insurgent activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Once a gun has been fired the sensors will detect the location to within ten metres.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It uses sensors to parallel park and will alert the driver to obstacles and hazards.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is a pocket smoke detector but also contains a motion sensor.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The police said to get a mini camera with a sensor light to deter him from coming back.
The Sun (2015)
Smoke alarm detectors and window sensors sounded minutes before the final dramatic descent, pointing to a possible fire on board.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We have here a security system, and it has these perimeter sensors on windows and doors and motion detectors throughout the building.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
sensor
British English: sensor NOUN
A sensor is an instrument which reacts to things such as heat or light, and which is used to provide information.
The vacuum cleaner contains sensors that detect the amount of dust and type of floor.
American English: sensor
Brazilian Portuguese: sensor
Chinese: 传感器
European Spanish: sensor
French: senseur
German: Sensor
Italian: sensore
Japanese: センサー
Korean: 감지기
European Portuguese: sensor
Latin American Spanish: sensor
All related terms of 'sensor'
motion sensor
A sensor is an instrument which reacts to certain physical conditions or impressions such as heat or light, and which is used to provide information.
radar sensor
a sensor on equipment used in radar , a method for detecting the position and velocity of a distant object
remote sensor
any instrument, such as a radar device or camera , that scans the earth or another planet from space in order to collect data about some aspect of it
parking sensor
A parking sensor is a device on a vehicle which detects obstacles and alerts the driver if the vehicle comes too close to them when being parked.
sensor network
a network of tiny autonomous devices embedded in everyday objects or sprinkled on the ground, able to communicate using wireless links
smart dust
a network of tiny autonomous devices embedded in everyday objects or sprinkled on the ground, able to communicate using wireless links