metrology

noun

me·​trol·​o·​gy me-ˈträ-lə-jē How to pronounce metrology (audio)
1
: the science of weights and measures or of measurement
2
: a system of weights and measures
metrological adjective
metrologist noun

Examples of metrology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For the all-important lithography machines, used for printing patterns on silicon wafers, and metrology equipment, used for quality control in a production process that demands hundreds of steps, Chinese firms rely overwhelmingly on imports from Japan, the United States, and Europe. Dan Wang, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 This act of metrology will allow precise tracking of the relative position and orientation of the two spacecraft. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024 This is particularly useful in low-light conditions, says Chun-Yuan (Robert) Wang, section manager of optics and metrology development at VisEra Tech. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Dec. 2023 Electrical quantum metrology is likely to be the first practical application of the QAH effect, agrees Charles Gould, a professor of experimental physics at the University of Würzburg, in Germany. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2023 During the French Revolution, metrology took on newly political dimensions. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2023 The contract will advance the program’s scientific practices in analytical chemistry, genetics, genomics, reproduction, veterinary and sports medicine, olfactory neuroscience, behavior and cognition, metrology and engineering for detection canine sciences. Derenn Hollman, al, 25 Mar. 2022 This industry is developing technologies, devices and services based on quantum cryptography, quantum metrology, quantum computing and other properties of the quantum world. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2021 Whatever their philosophical inclinations, physicists hope that the ability to design quantum circuits that flow two ways at once might enable new devices for quantum computing, communication and metrology. Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 27 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metrology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French métrologie, from Greek metrologia theory of ratios, from metron measure — more at measure

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of metrology was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near metrology

Cite this Entry

“Metrology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metrology. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

metrology

noun
me·​trol·​o·​gy me-ˈträl-ə-jē How to pronounce metrology (audio)
plural metrologies
1
: the science of weights and measures or of measurement
2
: a system of weights and measures
metrological adjective
metrologically adverb
metrologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on metrology

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