comparator

American  

[kuhm-par-uh-ter, kom-puh-rey-] / kəmˈpær ə tər, ˈkɒm pəˌreɪ- /

noun

1. any of various instruments for making comparisons, as of lengths or distances, tints of colors, etc.

2. Electronics. a circuit for comparing two signals, as readings of duplicate information stored in a digital computer, and for giving an indication of agreement or disagreement between them.

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comparator British  

/ kəmˈpærətə /

noun

1. any instrument used to measure a property of a system by comparing it with a standard system

2. an electric circuit that compares two signals and gives an indication of the extent of their dissimilarity

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Etymology

Origin of comparator

First recorded in 1880–85; from Late Latin comparātor “a comparer”; see compare, -tor

Example Sentences

Moderna’s vaccine reduced flu cases by 26.6% versus the comparator.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Fifty years on from that policy decision, Sweden has clean, secure and affordable energy and is emitting less greenhouse gas than any comparator nation.

From Salon • Jul. 16, 2023

"With Wieze fully operational since end of October and against a strong comparator, we had, as expected, a slow start to the year," said Chief Executive Peter Boone in a statement.

From Reuters • Jan. 18, 2023

The system only needs to compare the voltage drop across corresponding resistors in the clamped and free networks, using a relatively simple electrical widget called a comparator, Dillavou says.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 17, 2022

In the comparator Vickers brought the corresponding standard comparison lines together.

From The Year When Stardust Fell by Jones, Raymond F.