seismometer

American  

[sahyz-mom-i-ter, sahys-] / saɪzˈmɒm ɪ tər, saɪs- /

noun

1. a seismograph equipped for measuring the direction, intensity, and duration of earthquakes by measuring the actual movement of the ground.

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seismometer Scientific  

/ sīz-mŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. A detecting device that receives seismic impulses. It is the detecting component of a seismograph.

2. See more at seismograph

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Other Word Forms

• seismometric
  adjective
• seismometrical
  adjective
• seismometry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of seismometer

First recorded in 1835–45; seismo- + -meter

Explanation

A seismometer is a scientific instrument used to detect earthquakes. When the ground shakes, a seismometer can measure exactly how much it's moving up and down. Seismometer comes from the Greek roots seismos, "a shaking," and metron, "a measure." During the 2nd century, a Chinese astronomer invented a basic version of the seismometer that scientists still use today. A simple seismometer is made from a frame that is very sensitive to motion and a weight suspended from it by a spring. The measurement of earthquake activity comes from comparing the relative motion of the weight compared with the frame.

Example Sentences

The method relies on a single broadband seismometer to detect extremely subtle ground movements linked to magma intrusions deep underground.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

The lander carried a seismometer, which recorded four years' of vibrations - Mars quakes - from deep inside the Red Planet.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2024

Swift’s Seattle fans reportedly danced, jumped and shook so much in July that a nearby seismometer equated their activity to a magnitude 2.3 earthquake, the Seattle Times reported.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2024

No, it was an ordinary truck, like a normal truck driving past a seismometer.

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2024

On the evening of April 3, Malone was back in his lab, showing seismometer data to Randy White.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone