oscilloscope

noun

os·​cil·​lo·​scope ä-ˈsi-lə-ˌskōp How to pronounce oscilloscope (audio)
ə-
: an instrument in which the variations in a fluctuating electrical quantity appear temporarily as a visible wave form on a display screen
oscilloscopic adjective

Did you know?

In Latin oscillare means "to swing", and our word oscillation usually means "vibration" or "variation", especially in a changing flow of electricity. The oscilloscope basically draws a graph of an electrical signal. Since all kinds of physical phenomena can be converted into an electric voltage, oscilloscopes can be used to measure such things as sound, light, and heat. So an oscilloscope can analyze how one clarinet's sound is different from another's, or how one bulb's light differs from another's. Auto mechanics use oscilloscopes to measure engine vibrations; doctors use them to measure brain waves. Audio technicians use oscilloscopes to diagnose problems in audio equipment; TV and radio technicians use them to diagnose TV and radio problems. But oscilloscopes are most essential today to high-tech electronics experimentation.

Examples of oscilloscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By using an oscilloscope to measure the electromagnetic radiation while the token is authenticating itself, the researchers can detect tiny execution time differences that reveal a token’s ephemeral ECDSA key, also known as a nonce. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 3 Sep. 2024 To really make an identification requires an oscilloscope, a scientific instrument that graphically shows the intensity of sound, measuring frequency, wavelength and amplitude. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024 Not only that, but the new method removes the biggest barrier holding back previously existing methods from exploiting side channels: the need to have instruments such as an oscilloscope, electric probes, or other objects touching or being in proximity to the device being attacked. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 13 June 2023 With an oscilloscope, the game lacks a certain visual élan, with the fuel and altitude readings displayed as two horizontal lines. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for oscilloscope 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oscilloscope.' 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

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oscilloscope was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near oscilloscope

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

oscilloscope

noun
os·​cil·​lo·​scope ä-ˈsil-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce oscilloscope (audio)
ə-
: an instrument in which the variations in a continually changing electrical quantity appear temporarily as a visible wave form on the screen of a cathode-ray tube

Medical Definition

oscilloscope

noun
os·​cil·​lo·​scope ä-ˈsil-ə-ˌskōp, ə- How to pronounce oscilloscope (audio)
: an instrument in which the variations in a fluctuating electrical quantity appear temporarily as a visible waveform on the fluorescent screen of a cathode-ray tube

called also cathode-ray oscilloscope

oscilloscopic adjective
oscilloscopically adverb

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