spectrometer

American  

[spek-trom-i-ter] / spɛkˈtrɒm ɪ tər /

noun

Optics.

1. an optical device for measuring wavelengths, deviation of refracted rays, and angles between faces of a prism, especially an instrument prism spectrometer consisting of a slit through which light passes, a collimator, a prism that deviates the light, and a telescope through which the deviated light is viewed and examined.

---

spectrometer British  

/ ˌspɛktrəʊˈmɛtrɪk, spɛkˈtrɒmɪtə /

noun

1. any instrument for producing a spectrum, esp one in which wavelength, energy, intensity, etc, can be measured See also mass spectrometer

---

spectrometer Scientific  

/ spĕk-trŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. A spectroscope equipped with devices for measuring the frequencies of the radiation observed by it.

---

Other Word Forms

• spectrometry
  noun
• spectrometric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spectrometer

First recorded in 1870–75; spectro- + -meter

Compare meaning

How does spectrometer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• spectrometer vs. spectrophotometer

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spectrometer

Scientists then examined those fragments with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, an instrument that identifies ions by measuring how quickly they reach a detector.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

The gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer received an important test during the flyby.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

When illuminated by the microscope's halogen lamp and analyzed through a spectrometer, the light separates into different wavelengths.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2025

Then an instrument called a mass spectrometer will analyse any gases that are released.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2025

Scientists can use a machine called a spectrometer to look at the carbon in food and tell how much of it came from corn.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan