Thermometer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature, commonly in weather, medical, or scientific settings. It typically contains a liquid that expands or contracts with heat or cold.
Definition:
A device for measuring temperature, typically using a glass tube with mercury or alcohol.
Synonyms:
temperature gauge, thermocouple, pyrometer
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
thermostat, barometer
Common Collocations:
digital thermometer, clinical thermometer, mercury thermometer, infrared thermometer, oral thermometer
Derivatives:
thermometric, thermometry
Usage Tips:
Use "thermometer" for measuring body or environmental temperature; avoid confusing it with "thermostat," which regulates temperature.
Common Phrases:
under the weather, running a temperature, take one's temperature
Etymology:
From Greek "thermo-" (heat) + "-meter" (measure), coined in the early 17th century.
Examples:
- 1. The thermometer showed 98°F this morning.
- 2. She placed the thermometer under her tongue to check for fever.
- 3. The outdoor thermometer dropped below freezing overnight.
- 4. A digital thermometer is faster and safer than mercury ones.