seismometer

[ sahyz-mom-i-ter, sahys- ]

noun

1. a seismograph equipped for measuring the direction, intensity, and duration of earthquakes by measuring the actual movement of the ground.

seismometer

/ sīz-mŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. A detecting device that receives seismic impulses. It is the detecting component of a seismograph.
2. See more at seismograph

Other Words From

• seis·mo·met·ric [sahyz-m, uh, -, me, -trik, sahys-], seismo·metri·cal adjective
• seis·momet·ry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of seismometer¹

First recorded in 1835–45; seismo- + -meter

Example Sentences

There are two tricks that InSight’s seismometer can use to estimate a seismic wave’s source.

From Quanta Magazine

Placing the seismometersTo listen to those waves, researchers begin by planting seismometer arrays.

From Popular-Science

Those Apollo instruments were turned off in 1977, but Artemis means we can put some new seismometers down on the moon that will detect even more sensitive moonquakes and help us determine what’s causing them.

From MIT Technology Review

Android Earthquake Alerts System by GoogleThe world’s largest earthquake detection systemRegions with frequent earthquakes have immense networks of seismometers to pick up on the smallest shakes.

From Popular-Science

The InSight lander, currently on Mars, has a seismometer that listens for Marsquakes, but a ground-penetrating radar to understand the Martian interior is a first.

From Science News

It is a seismometer for the shifting ground of British politics.

From The Daily Beast

Seis′mogram, the record made by a seismometer; Seismog′rapher.

From Project Gutenberg

Seismom′etry, the measuring the phenomena of earthquakes; Seis′moscope, a name of the simpler form of seismometer.

From Project Gutenberg

Having undergone a few small changes, fixed in a threefold combination it serves as our most sensitive and accurate seismometer.

From Project Gutenberg

In due time they reach, say the Isle of Wight, where they set the pencil of the seismometer at work.

From Project Gutenberg

Unfortunately this fate was shared by a seismometer that had been set up on the island.

From Project Gutenberg