thermocouple

American  

[thur-muh-kuhp-uhl] / ˈθɜr məˌkʌp əl /

noun

Physics.

1. a device that consists of the junction of two dissimilar metallic conductors, as copper and iron, in which an electromotive force is induced when the conductors are maintained at different temperatures, the force being related to the temperature difference: used to determine the temperature of a third substance by connecting it to the junction of the metals and measuring the electromotive force produced.

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thermocouple British  

/ ˈθɜːməʊˌkʌpəl /

noun

1. a device for measuring temperature consisting of a pair of wires of different metals or semiconductors joined at both ends. One junction is at the temperature to be measured, the second at a fixed temperature. The electromotive force generated depends upon the temperature difference

2. a similar device with only one junction between two dissimilar metals or semiconductors

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thermocouple Scientific  

/ thûr′mə-kŭp′əl /

1. A thermoelectric device used to make accurate measurements of temperatures, especially high temperatures. It consists of a circuit having two wires of different metals or metal alloys welded together. A temperature gradient across the junction of the wires gives rise to an electric potential by the Seebeck effect. This potential varies with the strength of the temperature gradient and can be measured by a voltmeter. Thermocouples can also be used to generate small amounts of electricity for powering other devices.

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thermocouple Cultural  

1. A device for accurate measurement of temperature. A thermocouple consists of two dissimilar metals joined at two joints in a loop so that the difference in voltage can be measured. Because voltage changes in proportion to temperature, the voltage difference indicates temperature differences.

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Etymology

Origin of thermocouple

First recorded in 1885–90; thermo- + couple

Compare meaning

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

• thermopile vs. thermocouple

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thermocouple

All you need to know about thermocouple sensors is that they’re a type of thermometer, and they use metal wires to take the readings.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 6, 2022

The researchers first took the temperature of the female night-mating moth with a tiny thermocouple buried in the fur of her thorax.

From Time Magazine Archive

To avoid running separate wires to each thermocouple, they are all connected to a small telephone exchange inside the mold.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week the AEC's Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory announced a major step toward direct conversion: an experimental "plasma thermocouple" no bigger than a can of frozen orange juice.

From Time Magazine Archive

So I did it a bit at a time, constantly watching the readout of a thermocouple I'd attached to the iridium chamber.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir