[′lin·ē·ər ¦ver·ē·ə·bəl ‚dif·ə¦ren·chəl tranz′fōr·mər] (electronics) A transformer in which a diaphragm or other transducer sensing element moves an armature linearly inside the coils of a differential transformer, to change the output voltage by changing the inductances of the coils in equal but opposite amounts. Abbreviated LVDT.