radiometer

noun

ra·​di·​om·​e·​ter ˌrā-dē-ˈä-mə-tər 

: an instrument for detecting and usually for measuring the intensity of radiant energy

radiometry

ˌrā-dē-ˈä-mə-trē 

noun

Illustration of radiometer

Examples of radiometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Juno has other instruments too, including a magnetometer to map Jupiter's magnetic field and a microwave radiometer to measure the abundance of water and ammonia in the planet's atmosphere. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

The agency collected the data using a thermal radiometer tool aboard the International Space Station. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 10 July 2024

Juno is also equipped with a handful of other scientific instruments, including an energetic particle detector, an ultraviolet imaging spectrograph and a microwave radiometer. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024

Wolf and his startup, Arable, intend to market the gadget as a $500 replacement for $10,000 weather stations with $5000 net radiometers. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 July 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

radiometer

noun

ra·​di·​om·​e·​ter ˌrād-ē-ˈäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for measuring the strength of radiant energy

radiometric

ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈme-trik

adjective

radiometry

-ˈäm-ə-trē 

noun

Medical Definition

radiometer

noun

ra·​di·​om·​e·​ter ˌrād-ē-ˈäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for measuring the intensity of radiant energy

also : an instrument for measuring electromagnetic radiation or sound waves