Thermometer
From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
Thermometer
A thermometer is a device that measures temperature, typically using a sealed tube filled with liquid or gas that expands or contracts as the temperature changes. The temperature is read from a scale marked on the tube or displayed digitally. While thermometers are commonly used in medical settings to measure body temperature, they are also used in a wide range of other contexts, including in industry, agriculture, and scientific research. One important aspect of thermometers is their accuracy and precision. Different types of thermometers have varying levels of accuracy, with some able to measure temperature to within fractions of a degree. It is important to use the appropriate type of thermometer for the specific application, as different materials and environments can affect the accuracy of the measurement. Another important consideration when using a thermometer is calibration. Over time, thermometers can become less accurate due to factors such as exposure to extreme temperatures or physical damage. Regular calibration ensures that the thermometer is measuring temperature accurately and consistently. In addition to traditional glass or digital thermometers, there are also specialized types of thermometers used for specific applications. For example, infrared thermometers use infrared radiation to measure temperature without making physical contact with the object being measured. This makes them useful for measuring the temperature of objects that are difficult or dangerous to access, such as machinery or industrial processes. Overall, thermometers are a critical tool for measuring temperature in a wide range of contexts. Their accuracy and precision are important considerations, as is the appropriate calibration and use of specialized types of thermometers for specific applications.
temperature, accuracy, precision, calibration, infrared thermometer
Thermometer
Thermometer is a noun which refers to an instrument used to measure temperature. The word derives from the Greek words therme, meaning ‘heat’, and metron, meaning ‘measure’. Synonyms of thermometer include thermograph, pyrometer, and heat gauge. Antonyms of thermometer include coldness, frigidity, and iciness. Cognates of thermometer include the German thermometr, the French thermomètre, and the Spanish termómetro. Variants of the word thermometer include thermo-meter, thermo meter, and thermo-meter.
Temperature, thermal, thermistor, hygrometer, thermochronology.
Thermometer
The word thermometer most likely originated from a combination of two Ancient Greek terms. The term thermo is derived from the Greek word ‘thermos’ meaning ‘hot’ and the term τετραμμετρον (tetrametron), which means ‘a four measured part’. This latter term is derived from the words τετρας (tetras) meaning ‘four’, and μετρεω (metreo) meaning ‘to measure’. Thermometers have evolved linguistically and historically to measure a variety of temperatures. The first thermometer was an alcohol-in-glass thermometer developed in 1714. Further developments in the nineteenth century allowed for the measurement of temperatures with increasing accuracy and precision. The morphology of the word thermometer reflects this period of evolution, in which it has been used to measure a variety of temperatures in different fields and settings. Pragmatically, thermometers are used in a wide range of contexts, from medical settings, to agriculture, and engineering settings.
etymology, morphology, word, thermometer, Greek
CITATION : "Henry Fontaine. 'Thermometer.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/thermometer?E=221367 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Thermometer
Thermometer is a device used to measure temperature. It is commonly used to gauge the temperature of a person's body or the atmosphere of a certain region. In other languages, the term thermometer has different words associated with it. In French it is thermo-mesure, In German it is thermoskop, In Spanish it is termometro, In Japanese it is tāmōmētā, In Russian it is термометр, In Italian it is termometro, In Dutch it is thermometer, and in Portuguese it is termómetro. In Indonesian it is termometer, in Polish it is termometr, in Chinese it is 温度计, in Czech it is teploměr, in Hungarian it is hőmérő, in Swedish it is termometer, in Turkish it is termometre, in Greek it is θερμόμετρο, in Arabic it is درجة الحرارة, and in Korean it is 온도계.
temperature measure, thermo-mesure, thermoskop, termometro, tāmōmētā, термометр, termometro, thermometer, termómetro, termometer, termometr, 温度计, teploměr, hőmérő, termometer, termometre, θερμόμετρο, درجة الحرارة, 온도계
Thermometer
A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature. It typically consists of a sealed tube filled with liquid or gas that expands or contracts when the temperature changes. The temperature is read from a scale marked on the tube. The most common type of thermometer consists of a glass tube filled with mercury or alcohol, with a thin bulb at the end that contains a gas or liquid. The liquid expands or contracts in the tube depending on the temperature, and the temperature is read from the scale. Digital thermometers are also available that use an electronic sensor to measure temperature.
Temperature, Heat, Celsius, Fahrenheit, Digital, Sensor, Expansion, Contraction.
Thermometer on Design+Encyclopedia
We have 220,822 Topics and 478,829 Entries and Thermometer has 5 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Thermometer today.