seismograph

1 of 2

noun (1)

seis·​mo·​graph ˈsīz-mə-ˌgraf How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
ˈsīs-
: an apparatus to measure and record vibrations within the earth and of the ground
seismographer
sīz-ˈmä-grə-fər How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
sīs-
noun
seismographic
ˌsīz-mə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
ˌsīs-
adjective
seismography
sīz-ˈmä-grə-fē How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
sīs-
noun

seismographer

2 of 2

noun (2)

seis·​mog·​ra·​pher
plural -s
: a specialist in seismography : seismologist

Examples of seismograph 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.
Noun
For the former, there are plans to install seismographs to help understand the phenomenon. — Jorge Garay, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2026 On Polymarket’s tab for Bitcoin, a line graph crawls along like a seismograph, showing the price to beat as the total cost fluctuates by hundreds of dollars a second. — Joe Wilkins Published Mar 18, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026 By the 1980s, however, scientists had developed seismographs, satellites, and tamper-proof cameras. — Billy Perrigo, Time, 23 June 2026 Looking ahead, China plans to launch its Chang’e-7 lunar probe around 2026, carrying instruments such as a seismograph to study the moon’s internal structure. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for seismograph

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

International Scientific Vocabulary

Noun (2)

seismography + -er

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seismograph was in 1858

Rhymes for seismograph

See All Rhymes for seismograph

Browse Nearby Words

seismogram
seismograph
seismographer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seismograph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seismograph. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

seismograph

noun
seis·​mo·​graph ˈsīz-mə-ˌgraf How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
ˈsīs-
: a device to measure and record vibrations of the earth
seismographic
ˌsīz-mə-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
ˌsīs-
adjective
seismography
sīz-ˈmäg-rə-fē How to pronounce seismograph (audio)
sīs-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on seismograph

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seismograph

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