galvanometer

[ gal-vuh-nom-i-ter ]
/ ˌgæl vəˈnɒm ɪ tər /

noun

an instrument for detecting the existence of small electric currents and determining their strength.

Origin of galvanometer

First recorded in 1795–1805; galvano- + -meter

Words nearby galvanometer

galvano-, galvanocautery, galvanochemical, galvanomagnetic, galvanomagnetic effect, galvanometer, galvanometry, galvanoplastic, galvanoplasty, galvanoscope, galvanotaxis

Example sentences from the Web for galvanometer

British Dictionary definitions for galvanometer

galvanometer
/ (ˌɡælvəˈnɒmɪtə) /

noun

any sensitive instrument for detecting or measuring small electric currents

Derived forms of galvanometer

galvanometric (ˌɡælvənəʊˈmɛtrɪk, ɡælˌvænə-) or galvanometrical, adjective galvanometrically, adverb galvanometry, noun

Scientific definitions for galvanometer

galvanometer
[ găl′və-nŏm′ĭ-tər ]

An instrument that detects small electric currents and indicates their direction and relative strength. Current flowing through the galvanometer passes through a coil near a magnetized needle on a pivot; the strength of the current in the coil regulates the strength of a magnetic field that displaces the needle. Galvanometers can be used directly as ammeters, and are the core element of many ohmmeters and voltmeters.