photometer

[ foh-tom-i-ter ]

/ foʊˈtɒm ɪ tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR photometer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Optics.

an instrument that measures luminous intensity or brightness, luminous flux, light distribution, color, etc., usually by comparing the light emitted by two sources, one source having certain specified standard characteristics.

RELATED WORDS

actinometer, radiometer

Nearby words

Origin of photometer

From the New Latin word photometrum, dating back to 1770–80. See photo-, -meter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for photometer

A number of measurements of the illuminating power of an electric lamp were rapidly made during the lecture with this photometer.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 288|Various
The photometer may show a very adequate intensity of illumination; nevertheless seeing may be unsatisfactory or even impossible.
Visual Illusions|Matthew Luckiesh
The photometer or instrument for accurate comparison of lights, their amount and intensity, tells a different story.
Astronomy|David Todd
The photometer has played an important rôle in establishing the scientific basis of camouflage.
Visual Illusions|Matthew Luckiesh

The photometer, preferably one of the Lummer-Brodhun form, is set up on a gallery or bench.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 6|Various

British Dictionary definitions for photometer

photometer

/ (fəʊˈtɒmɪtə) /

noun

an instrument used in photometry, usually one that compares the illumination produced by a particular light source with that produced by a standard sourceSee also spectrophotometer

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