A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. It usually consists of a narrow glass tube containing a thin column of a liquid which rises and falls as the temperature rises and falls.
thermometer in British English
(θəˈmɒmɪtə)
noun
an instrument used to measure temperature, esp one in which a thin column of liquid, such as mercury, expands and contracts within a graduated sealed tube
See also clinical thermometer, gas thermometer, resistance thermometer, thermocouple, pyrometer
thermometer in American English
(θərˈmɑmətər)
noun
1.
an instrument for measuring temperatures, consisting of a graduated glass tube witha sealed, capillary bore in which mercury, colored alcohol, etc. rises or falls as it expands or contracts from changes in temperature
see also Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin1, Reaumur
2.
any similar instrument, as one operating by means of a thermocouple
Derived forms
thermometric (ˌθɜrməˈmɛtrɪk)
adjective
thermometrically (ˌthermoˈmetrically)
adverb
Word origin
Fr thermomètre: see thermo- & -meter
thermometer in Mechanical Engineering
(θərmɒmɪtər)
Word forms: (regular plural) thermometers
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Control, instrumentation and metrology)
A thermometer is a device for measuring temperature, usually one that works by the expansion of a column of fluid.
Measure the temperature of the water with a digital thermometer.
Mercury is used in thermometers because it expands when it is heated.
A thermometer is a device for measuring temperature, usually one that works by the expansion ofa column of fluid.
I use a meat thermometer when cooking turkey - it helps to judge when the turkey is done.
The Sun (2016)
If you're worried, use a meat thermometer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Place the turkey on top and, if using a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the thigh.
The Sun (2016)
Use an oven thermometer to check this.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Place a sugar thermometer in the pan and lower the temperature slightly.
The Sun (2010)
Our chemist recommended an expensive digital ear thermometer.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They checked me over and took my temperature with the thermometer she had in her bag.
The Sun (2012)
Add the sugar thermometer to the pan.
The Sun (2014)
Put a sugar thermometer in the pan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil on a medium heat.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Snow is forecast in the Highlands where the thermometer could hit zero.
The Sun (2013)
For around a tenner, a meat thermometer is a very good buy.
The Sun (2012)
Alternatively, insert an electronic probe or meat thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Note: you will need a digital thermometer.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Invest in a sugar thermometer, available from kitchen shops and department stores.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A thermometer is a temperature sensor whose information must be read by you.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
For my money, the best way to check your temperature is with a digital thermometer under the tongue.
The Sun (2009)
A small digital thermometer helps you to judge how much to adjust the thermostat to the desired room temperature.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
For an armpit reading, place the thermometer against the skin under the arm and hold the arm against the chest.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They can also use the above methods, but may prefer to use a standard digital thermometer placed under the tongue.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And get a meat thermometer.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Put down that sugar thermometer!
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
My sugar thermometer doesn't get a lot of use, to be frank.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If you can get underneath a corner of it with a butter knife or the pointy tip of a meat thermometer, it will come away nicely.
The Sun (2014)
It takes a simple thermometer, used for a fridge health check, to stop your potion losing its punch.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Before you get up in the morning, put a mercury thermometer in your armpit when you wake and leave it there for 10 minutes.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Word lists with
thermometer
Measuring instruments
In other languages
thermometer
British English: thermometer /θəˈmɒmɪtə/ NOUN
A thermometer is an instrument for measuring the temperature of a room or of a person's body.
American English: thermometer
Arabic: تِرْمُومِتْر
Brazilian Portuguese: termômetro
Chinese: 温度计
Croatian: toplomjer
Czech: teploměr
Danish: termometer
Dutch: thermometer
European Spanish: termómetro
Finnish: lämpömittari
French: thermomètre
German: Thermometer
Greek: θερμόμετρο
Italian: termometro
Japanese: 温度計
Korean: 온도계
Norwegian: termometer
Polish: termometr
European Portuguese: termómetro
Romanian: termometru
Russian: термометр
Latin American Spanish: termómetro
Swedish: termometer
Thai: ปรอทวัดอุณหภูมิ
Turkish: ısıölçer
Ukrainian: термометр
Vietnamese: nhiệt kế
All related terms of 'thermometer'
gas thermometer
a device for measuring temperature by observing the pressure of gas at a constant volume or the volume of a gas kept at a constant pressure
clinical thermometer
a finely calibrated thermometer for determining the temperature of the body, usually placed under the tongue , in the armpit , or in the rectum
resistance thermometer
an accurate type of thermometer in which temperature is calculated from the resistance of a coil of wire (usually of platinum ) or of a semiconductor placed at the point at which the temperature is to be measured
dry-bulb thermometer
an ordinary thermometer used alongside a wet-bulb thermometer to obtain relative humidity
wet-bulb thermometer
a thermometer the bulb of which is covered by a moist muslin bag , used together with a dry-bulb thermometer to measure humidity
maximum-minimum thermometer
a thermometer that records the highest and lowest temperatures since it was last set
wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer
a type of hygrometer consisting of two thermometers , one of which has a dry bulb and the other a bulb that is kept moist and ventilated . The difference between the readings of the thermometers gives an indication of atmospheric humidity