galvanometer

noun

gal·​va·​nom·​e·​ter ˌgal-və-ˈnä-mə-tər 

: an instrument for detecting or measuring a small electric current by movements of a magnetic needle or of a coil in a magnetic field

galvanometric

ˌgal-və-nō-ˈme-trik 

adjective

Examples of galvanometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of merely tying her up, Crookes connected Fay's hands to a galvanometer, an instrument for measuring electric current. —Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

One was connected to a battery, thereby magnetizing the iron, and the other was connected to a galvanometer to detect electric current. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023

Willem Einthoven’s string galvanometer was sensitive enough to measure the tiny but regular voltage fluctuations in a single heartbeat. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2021

These red rays fall on two thin gold leaves attached to the wires of a tiny galvanometer. —Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2020

The Cybraphon’s emotions are accessible via a Twitter feed but also appear on a on a 100 year-old galvanometer housed in the wardrobe (pictured above). —Priya Ganapati, WIRED, 31 July 2009

Word History

Etymology

galvan(ic) + -o- + -meter

Note: Term apparently introduced by the British scientist William Haseldine Pepys (1775-1856) in "Description of a newly invented Galvanometer, and an Account of some Experiments with Voltaʼs Pile upon several of the Gases," The Philosophical Magazine, vol. 10 (1801), pp. 38-42.

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

galvanometer

noun

gal·​va·​nom·​e·​ter ˌgal-və-ˈnäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for detecting or measuring a small electric current

Medical Definition

galvanometer

noun

gal·​va·​nom·​e·​ter ˌgal-və-ˈnäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument for detecting or measuring a small electric current by movements of a magnetic needle or of a coil in a magnetic field

galvanometric

-nō-ˈme-trik 

adjective