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digital voltmeter

digital voltmeter

4.1
A device that measures voltage and shows numbers on a screen
  • noun
  • /ˈdɪdʒɪtəl ˈvoʊltˌmiːtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : voltímetro digital
  • The engineer used a digital voltmeter to check the voltage output of the circuit.

Examples

  • The peak-to-peak voltage of the sine wave was verified using a digital voltmeter and oscilloscope.

    Academic text (1990)
  • For calibration of the PPG system, a wave function generator (model 112, Wavetek, San Diego, CA), a digital voltmeter, and an oscilloscope were used.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The maintenance of fixed submaximal force outputs was performed in the same testing apparatus, during which subjects observed their efforts on a digital voltmeter or chart recorder in an attempt to keep the output from the load cell as close to the designated target force as possible.

    Academic text (1997)
  • To ensure accuracy, the technician relied on a digital voltmeter for measuring the battery voltage.

  • Before making adjustments, he connected the digital voltmeter to the power supply to read the voltage level.

Synonyms

meter
vsdigital voltmeter
127 3.2

A device that measures how much gas, water, or electricity you use

is specific to voltage measurement rather than many different quantities
voltmeter
vsdigital voltmeter
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A tool that measures the voltage between two points in an electric circuit

shows readings as numerical digits rather than an unspecified display
multimeter
vsdigital voltmeter
  • Specialized
1 3.9

An electronic tool that measures voltage, current and resistance in wires and circuits

focuses solely on measuring voltage rather than multiple functions

How Accurate

digital voltmeter
  • Specialized
4.1
multimeter
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

digital + voltmeter

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'voltmeter' (an instrument that measures voltage) modified by 'digital' (numeric/electronic), so the combined meaning — a voltmeter that displays measurements as digits — is predictable. This is a regular noun–noun compound following common compositional patterns and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand it.

Etymology

The compound noun digital voltmeter combines digital (showing 'digits', that is clear numbers) and voltmeter (a tool that 'measures voltage'). Picture a small meter that lights up exact numbers instead of a moving needle, so the name simply tells you it 'measures voltage' and shows the result as numbers.