potentiometer

noun

po·​ten·​ti·​om·​e·​ter pə-ˌten(t)-shē-ˈä-mə-tər How to pronounce potentiometer (audio)
1
: an instrument for measuring electromotive forces
2
potentiometric adjective

Examples of potentiometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The assortment of controllers includes a pair of joysticks—the interface of choice for most games—as well as potentiometer controllers used in driving simulations and in the game Video Olympics. Tekla S. Perry, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Nov. 2023 Yet the dash lights, sound system, and climate-control potentiometer, for example, never flare or spike strangely due to the higher-wattage output. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025 There’s a 32-step digital potentiometer for controlling the volume level and includes a push function for switching inputs. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Each controller has top cases and button replacement sets in black and white, plus the two inner circuit boards that provide charging, input, vibration, and, of course, sockets with new potentiometers installed to fix stick drift. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 1 Aug. 2023 Valve’s sticks use potentiometers instead, which are more vulnerable to drift. Wes Davis, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2023 Joy-Cons register movement when a small wiper inside the joystick module (potentiometer) moves across a small pad, changing resistance levels and altering the recorded voltage. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2023 There’s even little graphics on the panel to clue you in on the function each potentiometer controls. Kevin Krewell, Forbes, 30 June 2022 Over the years, Shepard’s also made key modifications to Black’s guitars - installing new potentiometers and DiMarzio pickups, , which control volume and tone. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 17 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary potential + -o- + -meter

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of potentiometer was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near potentiometer

Cite this Entry

“Potentiometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potentiometer. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

potentiometer

noun
po·​ten·​ti·​om·​e·​ter pə-ˌten-chē-ˈäm-ət-ər How to pronounce potentiometer (audio)
: an instrument for measuring electromotive forces
potentiometric adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on potentiometer

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