hydrometer

[hahy-drom-i-ter]

noun

1. an instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid, commonly consisting of a graduated tube weighted to float upright in the liquid whose specific gravity is being measured.

hydrometer

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊˈmɛtrɪk, haɪˈdrɒmɪtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring the relative density of a liquid, usually consisting of a sealed graduated tube with a weighted bulb on one end, the relative density being indicated by the length of the unsubmerged stem

hydrometer

1. An instrument used to measure the density of a liquid as compared to that of water. Hydrometers consist of a calibrated glass tube ending in a weighted glass sphere that makes the tube stand upright when placed in a liquid. The lower the density of the liquid, the deeper the tube sinks.

Other Word Forms

• hydrometric adjective
• hydrometry noun
• hydrometrically adverb
• hydrometrical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrometer¹

First recorded in 1665–75; hydro- ¹ + -meter

Example Sentences

He walks ahead of her with a hydrometer to measure the relative humidity of any space she’s about to enter.

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Mr. Camilo, 29, who was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Washington Heights and the Bronx, has made sure to have a hydrometer on hand ever since.

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He handed me a white enamel graduate and what looked like a battery hydrometer.

Read more on Literature

It is usually a form of hydrometer with a special scale.

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This weight is ascertained by means of a "hydrometer," a glass tube, stopped, and loaded with some small shot at its lower end.

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