voltmeter

[ vohlt-mee-ter ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. a calibrated instrument for measuring the potential difference between two points.

voltmeter

/ ˈvəʊltˌmiːtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring potential difference or electromotive force

voltmeter

/ vōlt′mē′tər /

1. An instrument used for measuring the difference in voltage between two points in an electric circuit. Voltmeters typically make use of an ammeter that measures current flow across a known resistance inside the voltmeter; direct-current voltages can then be determined by Ohm's law. Digital voltmeters employ A/D converters to provide the numerical value of the voltage displayed.
2. Compare ohmmeter

Word History and Origins

Origin of voltmeter¹

First recorded in 1880–85; volt ¹ + -meter

Example Sentences

The hydrogen electrode is connected with the negative post of the voltmeter, the oxygen electrode with the positive post.

From Project Gutenberg

The instrument may be used as either a voltmeter or as an ammeter, and its operation will be identical in each case.

From Project Gutenberg

Despite the fact that the voltmeter seemed to be shorted out by the relux plate, the needle pointed steadily at twenty-two.

From Project Gutenberg

The relux plate cooled slightly, and the voltmeter remained steady.

From Project Gutenberg

In place of a shunt, the voltmeter uses a coil of wire of high resistance (see R, Fig. 249) in series with the galvanometer coil.

From Project Gutenberg