spectrophotometer

American  

[spek-troh-foh-tom-i-ter] / ˌspɛk troʊ foʊˈtɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. an instrument for making photometric comparisons between parts of spectra.

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spectrophotometer British  

/ ˌspɛktrəʊfəʊˈtɒmɪtə, ˌspɛktrəʊˌfəʊtəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

1. an instrument for producing or recording a spectrum and measuring the photometric intensity of each wavelength present, esp such an instrument used for infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation See also spectrometer

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Other Word Forms

• spectrophotometric adjective
• spectrophotometrically adverb
• spectrophotometry noun

Etymology

Origin of spectrophotometer

First recorded in 1880–85; spectro- + photometer

Compare meaning

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

• spectrometer vs. spectrophotometer

Example Sentences

The researchers conducted spectral analysis of the newly identified protein using a spectrophotometer, a tool that examines light properties across various spectra.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

Our research project uses a portable spectrophotometer to rapidly determine petiole nutrient values in a potato field.

From Salon • Nov. 28, 2023

An instrument called a spectrophotometer can differentiate which wavelengths of light a substance can absorb.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Female tanagers are generally much duller than their male counterparts, an observation that the researchers confirmed with a spectrophotometer, which measures how much light reflects off a surface.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2021

A larger breathalyzer unit that is found in the police station will have infrared spectrophotometer technology.

From Encyclopedia.com • Jun. 12, 2018