tonometer

[toh-nom-i-ter]

noun

1. an instrument for measuring the frequencies of tones, as a tuning fork or a graduated set of tuning forks.

2. any of various physiological instruments for measuring intraocular pressure or blood pressure.

3. Physical Chemistry.,  an instrument for measuring vapor pressure.

tonometer

/ ˌtəʊ-, təʊˈnɒmɪtə, ˌtɒnəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring the pitch of a sound, esp one consisting of a set of tuning forks

2. any of various types of instrument for measuring pressure or tension, such as the blood pressure, vapour pressure, etc

Other Word Forms

• tonometric adjective
• tonometry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonometer¹

First recorded in 1715–25; tono- + -meter

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonometer¹

C18: from Greek tonos _tone + _-meter

Example Sentences

"This is a good piece of kit because it's accurate in any position, unlike the static machine," he says waving a tonometer, which measures the pressure in the eye.

From BBC