Skip to main content
standard cell

standard cell

6.5
A very stable battery used to check voltage on measuring devices
  • noun
  • /ˈstændərd sɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : célula estándar
  • Researchers often utilize a standard cell in experiments to provide a reliable reference for voltage.

Examples

  • To calibrate the voltmeter, she referenced it against a high-quality standard cell.

  • Nadeer Bros. advertised a pretty standard cell, and the ancient Crossley displayed their "new" oil engines, "suitable for all classes of agricultural work."

    Blog text (1)
  • The scientist used a standard cell to ensure accurate measurements of the electromotive force.

Synonyms

Weston cell
vsstandard cell
  • Archaic
9.7

A stable electrical cell that gives a standard voltage for measuring instruments

is the general primary reference used for electromotive force measurements
Clark standard cell
vsstandard cell
  • Archaic
9.9

A battery used in labs as a standard to measure electric voltage

is the current primary reference rather than a former one
Clark cell
vsstandard cell
  • Archaic
9.9

A type of battery used long ago to give a fixed voltage for scientific measurements

is the current primary reference rather than a former one

Surface Forms

standard cell singular

Morphology

standard + cell

The phrase is compositionally predictable: 'standard' (a benchmark or reference) + 'cell' (an electrochemical unit) directly yields the idea of a cell used as a reference. Although the full technical specifics (primary cell, electromotive force measurements) are specialist, a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer it is a cell serving as a standard or reference.

Etymology

Standard cell comes from labs, where the words standard (something kept as a 'fixed reference') and cell (a small battery) are put together. So a standard cell is a specially made battery kept to give a steady 'voltage' that other instruments are compared to.