thermometer
noun
ther·mom·e·ter thər-ˈmä-mə-tər 
thə-ˈmä-mə-tər
plural thermometers
: an instrument for determining temperature
specifically : one consisting of a sensor housed in a metal probe that registers a change in electrical resistance as a change in temperature
thermometric
ˌthər-mə-ˈme-trik
adjective thermometrically
ˌthər-mə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods. Use a thermometer to make sure your food is cooked at a safe temperature. 
Maggie O'neill, SELF, 18 Aug. 2022 Heat oil in large cast iron pot to 350F. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and ensure the oil doesn't get too hot. Grateful, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2022 Owners can then use a traditional thermometer to measure their temperature. Chris Smith, BGR, 4 July 2022 The 33-ounce stainless steel kettle also has a large analog thermometer for targeting a precise brew temperature. Outside Online, 23 June 2022 Use a thermometer to keep the temperature in check. Annaliese Griffin, Fortune, 11 June 2022 Ideally, all Alaska gardeners really should have a soil thermometer to test soil temperatures. Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 19 May 2022 Make sure that your freezer and refrigerator have a thermometer. Vanessa Swales, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2021 How to know when your meat is done cooking When cooking beef, poultry and pork, always have an instant-read thermometer on hand. Sue Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 June 2021 See More
Maggie O'neill, SELF, 18 Aug. 2022 Heat oil in large cast iron pot to 350F. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and ensure the oil doesn't get too hot. Grateful, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2022 Owners can then use a traditional thermometer to measure their temperature. Chris Smith, BGR, 4 July 2022 The 33-ounce stainless steel kettle also has a large analog thermometer for targeting a precise brew temperature. Outside Online, 23 June 2022 Use a thermometer to keep the temperature in check. Annaliese Griffin, Fortune, 11 June 2022 Ideally, all Alaska gardeners really should have a soil thermometer to test soil temperatures. Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 19 May 2022 Make sure that your freezer and refrigerator have a thermometer. Vanessa Swales, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2021 How to know when your meat is done cooking When cooking beef, poultry and pork, always have an instant-read thermometer on hand. Sue Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
French thermomètre, from Greek thermē heat + French -o- + -mètre -meter — more at therm
First Known Use
1633, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing thermometer
Kids Definition
thermometer
noun
ther·mom·e·ter thər-ˈmä-mə-tər
thə-ˈmä-
: an instrument for measuring temperature
Medical Definition
thermometer
noun
ther·mom·e·ter thə(r)-ˈmäm-ət-ər
: an instrument for determining temperature that usually consists either of a device providing a digital readout or of a glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered scale and containing a liquid (as mercury or colored alcohol) that is sealed in and rises and falls with changes of temperature