galvanometer

[ gal-vuh-nom-i-ter ]

/ ˌgæl vəˈnɒm ɪ tər /

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noun

an instrument for detecting the existence of small electric currents and determining their strength.

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Origin of galvanometer

First recorded in 1795–1805; galvano- + -meter

Words nearby galvanometer

galvano-, galvanocautery, galvanochemical, galvanomagnetic, galvanomagnetic effect, galvanometer, galvanometry, galvanoplastic, galvanoplasty, galvanoscope, galvanotaxis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use galvanometer in a sentence

The mirror receiving instrument employed was the heavy prototype of the delicate reflecting galvanometer of Sir William Thomson.
Heroes of the Telegraph|J. Munro
The older or moving-magnet type of galvanometer is similar to the galvanoscope mentioned in Art. 239.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
The moving-coil type of galvanometer (see Fig. 245) consists of a large magnet fastened to the frame of the device.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
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.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower

The known resistances are changed until when on pressing the keys at E and K no current flows through the galvanometer.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower

British Dictionary definitions for galvanometer

galvanometer

/ (ˌɡælvəˈnɒmɪtə) /

noun

any sensitive instrument for detecting or measuring small electric currents

Derived forms of galvanometer

galvanometric (ˌɡælvənəʊˈmɛtrɪk, ɡælˌvænə-) or galvanometrical, adjectivegalvanometrically, adverbgalvanometry, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for galvanometer

galvanometer

[ găl′və-nŏm′ĭ-tər ]

An instrument that detects small electric currents and indicates their direction and relative strength. Current flowing through the galvanometer passes through a coil near a magnetized needle on a pivot; the strength of the current in the coil regulates the strength of a magnetic field that displaces the needle. Galvanometers can be used directly as ammeters, and are the core element of many ohmmeters and voltmeters.