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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of comparator

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

Example Sentences

Moderna said it used a standard-dose flu shot as the comparator in its trial because it included people under 65 and people from other countries where a high-dose vaccine isn’t recommended.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 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

Natanson says scientific results, patient safety, and the informed consent process all suffer when a usual-care comparator is absent.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 12, 2021

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

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