thermistor

noun

therm·​is·​tor ˈthər-ˌmi-stər How to pronounce thermistor (audio)
: an electrical resistor making use of a semiconductor whose resistance varies sharply in a known manner with the temperature

Examples of thermistor 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.
The problem is not with your car’s thermistor itself; in fact, thermistors are typically accurate, not to mention small and cheap to make. Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 1 July 2024 The Weather Channel says that because of this placement, the thermistors are measuring the temp of the heat radiating from the ground. Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 1 July 2024 At the same time, thermistors buried several meters into the ice at the AMIGOS site recorded a pulse of warmth—suggesting that water from snowmelt was percolating down. Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 1 July 2012 Tiny glass bead thermistors measure the air’s temperature up to 30 times per second to make sure everything is A-OK. Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 26 July 2023 New inventions such as the thermistor, thermocouple, thermopile, digital and platinum sensors all offer a wide range of benefits for different situations and environments. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2018 Most laptops sense heat on a single point where a thermistor is placed. Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld, 2 June 2020 Perhaps most important is temperature control: A comfortable room temperature is selected, and a thermistor (9) in the unit allows the device to automatically switch on and off to maintain it. Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2017 In addition, the subjects were fitted for a heart rate monitor, sweat capsules, and skin thermistors (temperature). NOLA.com, 16 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

thermal resistor

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thermistor was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near thermistor

Cite this Entry

“Thermistor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermistor. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

thermistor

noun
therm·​is·​tor ˈthər-ˌmis-tər How to pronounce thermistor (audio)
: an electrical resistor making use of a semiconductor whose resistance varies sharply in a known manner with the temperature

More from Merriam-Webster on thermistor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!