any instrument for measuring the intensity or direction of a magnetic field, esp the earth's field
Derived forms
magnetometric (ˌmæɡnɪtəʊˈmɛtrɪk)
adjective
magnetometry (ˌmagneˈtometry)
noun
magnetometer in American English
(ˌmægnəˈtɑmətər)
noun
1.
an instrument for measuring magnetic forces, esp. the earth's magnetic field
2.
an instrument for detecting the presence of magnetic materials by their influence on the local magnetic field: often used to screen for weapons at airports, etc.