dropsonde

American  

[drop-sond] / ˈdrɒpˌsɒnd /

noun

Meteorology.

1. an instrument similar to a radiosonde that is attached to a parachute and released from an aircraft.

---

dropsonde British  

/ ˈdrɒpsɒnd /

noun

1. meteorol a radiosonde dropped by parachute

---

Etymology

Origin of dropsonde

First recorded in 1945–50; drop + (radio)sonde

Example Sentences

Rocky Weinmann, a technician, held a dropsonde and plugged a cord into the device to activate it.

From Los Angeles Times

The pressurized air from the cabin pushed the dropsonde out into the thin atmosphere, and the device fell toward the clouds.

From Los Angeles Times

There was no way to see the dropsonde launch.

From Los Angeles Times

Another dropsonde was activated and inserted into the launch tube.

From Los Angeles Times

I felt like a human dropsonde — a device tossed out of airplanes to log weather conditions on the way down.

From Washington Post