chronometer

[ kruh-nom-i-ter ]
/ krəˈnɒm ɪ tər /

noun

a timepiece or timing device with a special mechanism for ensuring and adjusting its accuracy, for use in determining longitude at sea or for any purpose where very exact measurement of time is required.
any timepiece, especially a wristwatch, designed for the highest accuracy.

Origin of chronometer

First recorded in 1705–15; chrono- + -meter

OTHER WORDS FROM chronometer

chron·o·met·ric [kron-uh-me-trik] /ˌkrɒn əˈmɛ trɪk/, chron·o·met·ri·cal, adjective chron·o·met·ri·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for chronometer

British Dictionary definitions for chronometer

chronometer
/ (krəˈnɒmɪtə) /

noun

a timepiece designed to be accurate in all conditions of temperature, pressure, etc, used esp at sea

Derived forms of chronometer

chronometric (ˌkrɒnəˈmɛtrɪk) or chronometrical, adjective chronometrically, adverb

Scientific definitions for chronometer

chronometer
[ krə-nŏmĭ-tər ]

An extremely accurate clock or other timepiece. Chronometers are used in scientific experiments, navigation, and astronomical observations. It was the invention of a chronometer capable of being used aboard ship, in 1762, that allowed navigators for the first time to accurately determine their longitude at sea.