micrometer

1 of 2

noun (1)

mi·​crom·​e·​ter mī-ˈkrä-mə-tər How to pronounce micrometer (audio)
1
: an instrument used with a telescope or microscope for measuring minute distances
2
: a caliper for making precise measurements that has a spindle moved by a finely threaded screw

Illustration of micrometer

Illustration of micrometer
  • micrometer 2

micrometer

2 of 2

noun (2)

mi·​cro·​me·​ter ˈmī-krō-ˌmē-tər How to pronounce micrometer (audio)
: a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter

called also micron

see Metric System Table

Examples of micrometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The smallest were slimmer than the diameter of a human red blood cell, which measures about 8 micrometers. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 16 Sep. 2024 On their own, single cells of algae can zip around at speeds of over 100 micrometers per second – about 10 body-lengths. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 10 July 2024 Normally, all red blood cells are about the same size, with a diameter of 6.2-8.2 micrometers (µm).2 Certain conditions, such as anemia, can lead to different sizes of your red blood cells. Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 3 Aug. 2024 While the signal from the planet was quite bright at a number of wavelengths, the planet couldn't even be detected in one area of the spectrum (3.5 to 5 micrometers, for the curious). John Timmer, Ars Technica, 24 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for micrometer 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'micrometer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French micromètre, from micr- + -mètre -meter

Noun (2)

International Scientific Vocabulary micr- + meter entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of micrometer was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near micrometer

Cite this Entry

“Micrometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micrometer. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

micrometer

1 of 2 noun
mi·​crom·​e·​ter mī-ˈkräm-ət-ər How to pronounce micrometer (audio)
1
: an instrument used with a telescope or microscope for measuring very small distances
2
micrometry
-ˈkräm-ə-trē
noun

micrometer

2 of 2 noun
mi·​cro·​me·​ter ˈmī-krō-ˌmēt-ər How to pronounce micrometer (audio)
: a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter

Medical Definition

micrometer

1 of 2 noun
mi·​crom·​e·​ter mī-ˈkräm-ət-ər How to pronounce micrometer (audio)
: an instrument used with a telescope or microscope for measuring minute distances

micrometer

2 of 2 noun
mi·​cro·​me·​ter
variants or chiefly British micrometre
: micron

More from Merriam-Webster on micrometer

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