an instrument for measuring the tensile strength of a wire, beam, etc
2.
an instrument for measuring the surface tension of a liquid, usually consisting of a sensitive balance for measuring the force needed to pull a wire ring from the surface of the liquid
3.
an instrument for measuring the moisture content of soil
tensiometer in American English
(ˌtɛnsiˈɑmətər)
noun
any instrument for measuring tautness or tension, as of a stretched wire or fabric or of the surface of a fluid