spectrometer

noun

spec·​trom·​e·​ter spek-ˈträ-mə-tər How to pronounce spectrometer (audio)
1
: an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra
2
: any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (such as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured
nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
spectrometric adjective
spectrometry noun

Examples of spectrometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The genetic sequencers, polymerase chain reaction machines, and mass spectrometers that can detect a broad range of pathogens — 40 bacteria and 15 viruses — must be validated before they can be used with samples collected from patients. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025 Once there, Tianwen 2 will orbit the comet and use its range of cameras, spectrometers and other instruments to collect data that may provide insights into mysteries such as where Earth's water came from. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 28 May 2025 Some ions do also strike the rear spectrometer, but much fewer and at a lower speed. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 May 2025 The spacecraft carried a spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and a Varda enhanced pharmaceutical reactor for the company's in-orbit manufacturing plans, and collected critical data for developing hypersonic technologies. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spectrometer

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectrometer was in 1874

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Cite this Entry

“Spectrometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectrometer. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

spectrometer

noun
spec·​trom·​e·​ter spek-ˈträm-ət-ər How to pronounce spectrometer (audio)
1
: an instrument for producing a spectrum
2
: an instrument that spreads particles or radiation into an ordered sequence (as by mass or energy)

Medical Definition

spectrometer

noun
spec·​trom·​e·​ter spek-ˈträm-ət-ər How to pronounce spectrometer (audio)
1
: an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra
2
: any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured
nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
spectrometric adjective
spectrometry noun
plural spectrometries

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