sensor
Americannoun
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a mechanical device sensitive to light, temperature, radiation level, or the like, that transmits a signal to a measuring or control instrument.
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a sense organ.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of sensor
Explanation
An electronic device that measures changes in a physical quality (like light or temperature) is a sensor. Your kitchen smoke alarm has a sensor that detects the smoky evidence of your badly burned toast. Sensors, these tiny gadgets that detect a physical property, note any changes in it, and convey a message about it electronically, are found just about everywhere. They detect the presence of carbon monoxide in your house, tell you what the temperature is, and help drivers back up safely, alerting them of any obstacles. Smartphones themselves contain many sensors — detecting vibration, tilt, magnetic fields, and more. Sensor comes from a Latin root meaning "perceive or feel."
Vocabulary lists containing sensor
Commonly Confused Words, List 2
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Commonly Confused Words, List 6
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Electrical Engineering
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By 2025, “Monopoly Go!” had accrued $6 billion in lifetime in-app purchase revenue, becoming the fastest free mobile game to do so, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
In March there were 5 million, according to Sensor Tower.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
ReelShort was downloaded 23 million times in the U.S. last year, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Meanwhile, there was a 31% increase in smartphone downloads of gas price-related apps, according to Sensor Tower, a market intelligence firm.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026
“What does it matter if we’re smuggling Dark stuff OUT?” demanded Ron, eyeing the long thin Secrecy Sensor with apprehension.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
