magnetometer

noun

mag·​ne·​tom·​e·​ter ˌmag-nə-ˈtä-mə-tər 

: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity of a magnetic field

magnetometric

mag-ˌnē-tə-ˈme-trik 

-ˌne-

adjective

magnetometry

ˌmag-nə-ˈtä-mə-trē 

noun

Examples of magnetometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Panel members told reporters that all resources requested for the Butler rally were granted, with the exception that 13 magnetometers sought was lessened to 10. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024

Clipper’s magnetometer will sniff out the moon’s telltale magnetic field, revealing the ocean’s depth beneath the ice shell, and its salinity. —science.org, 19 Sep. 2024

The spacecraft, whose main body is a box about 20 ft. to a side, is stuffed with a suite of nine instruments, including optical cameras, temperature sensors, global radar, a magnetometer, and an ultraviolet spectrometer. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024

Clipper, equipped with its own magnetometer (and, hopefully, a more reliable antenna) is the spacecraft that will provide complete confidence. —science.org, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

magnetometer

noun

mag·​ne·​tom·​e·​ter ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the strength of a magnetic field

Medical Definition

magnetometer

noun

mag·​ne·​tom·​e·​ter ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ət-ər 

: an instrument used to detect the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity of a magnetic field

magnetometric

mag-ˌnēt-ə-ˈme-trik  -ˌnet- 

adjective

magnetometry

ˌmag-nə-ˈtäm-ə-trē 

noun

plural magnetometries