ver·ni·er
ˈvər-nē-ər 
1
: a short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument for indicating parts of divisions
2
a
: a small auxiliary device used with a main device to obtain fine adjustment
b
: any of two or more small supplementary rocket engines or gas nozzles on a missile or a rocket vehicle for making fine adjustments in the speed or course or controlling the attitude
called also vernier engine
: having or comprising a vernier
Examples of vernier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Euan McKirdy, CNN, 16 May 2017
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021
Noun
The engine design features a large central engine surrounded by four vernier thrusters, which swivel round a point to precisely correct the rocket's attitude.
—Euan McKirdy, CNN, 16 May 2017
Adjective
The issue is that vernier thrusters on the Soyuz boosters and in the de-orbit engines of the Soyuz-MS spacecraft use a special grade of highly refined hydrogen peroxide.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vernier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vernier
Cite this Entry
“Vernier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vernier. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share