radiosonde

[ rey-dee-oh-sond ]
/ ˈreɪ di oʊˌsɒnd /

noun Meteorology.

an instrument that is carried aloft by a balloon to send back information on atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity by means of a small radio transmitter.
Compare rawinsonde

Origin of radiosonde

First recorded in 1935–40; radio- + sonde

Words nearby radiosonde

radioscope, radioscopy, radiosensitive, radiosensitizer, radiosodium, radiosonde, radiostrontium, radiosymmetrical, radiotechnology, radiotelegram, radiotelegraph

British Dictionary definitions for radiosonde

radiosonde
/ (ˈreɪdɪəʊˌsɒnd) /

noun

an airborne instrument used to send meteorological information back to earth by radio Also called: radiometeorograph

Word Origin for radiosonde

C20: radio- + French sonde sounding line

Scientific definitions for radiosonde

radiosonde
[ rā′dē-ō-sŏnd′ ]

An instrument that is carried into the atmosphere by a balloon, makes measurements of temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed and direction, and transmits the measurements back to the ground. A radiosonde is typically sent to altitudes of approximately 30 km (18.6 mi). There are approximately 70 radiosonde stations across the continental United States. Each station launches two radiosondes daily.