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pyrometer

pyrometer

9.8
An instrument that measures very high temperatures in furnaces and kilns
  • noun
  • /paɪˈrɑːmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pirómetro
  • With the pyrometer now calibrated, they could safely monitor the extreme heat during the metal forging process.
  • infrared pyrometer
  • optical pyrometer

Examples

  • In response to this tendency toward inattentiveness, he once removed a pyrometer (a device that measures temperatures inside a kiln) that he'd reluctantly agreed to install.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The technician used the pyrometer to accurately gauge the temperature inside the furnace.

  • "People were watching the pyrometer," he told me.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Because of steelmaking's high temperatures, fabricators often use non-contact optical pyrometers to measure temperature.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The system will enable operators to optimize furnace and boiler performance without the drawbacks of conventional infrared pyrometers.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Unlike infrared pyrometers, the optical sensor in GasTemp distinguishes the radiation emitted by the hot microscopic ash particles from that of the relatively cool boiler walls.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The pyrometer displayed a reading of 1,500 degrees, confirming that the kiln was operating at full capacity.

Synonyms

thermometer
vspyrometer
74 3.0

A tool that tells you how hot or cold something is

focuses on measuring very high temperatures especially in furnaces or kilns
optical pyrometer
vspyrometer
  • Specialized
8.8

A tool that measures very high temperatures by comparing a hot object's light color to a known value

is a general tool for very high temperatures rather than a specific visual method
pyroscope
vspyrometer
  • Specialized
9.9

A device that measures very high temperatures by looking at the color of light from hot objects

is for very high furnace temperatures generally rather than only visual observation
radiation pyrometer
vspyrometer
  • Specialized
8.9

A tool that measures temperature of hot objects without touching them

is aimed at furnaces and kilns rather than remote measurement situations
resistance pyrometer
vspyrometer
  • Specialized
8.4

A device that measures very high temperatures by watching how electricity in a hot wire changes

uses other methods for very high temperatures rather than relying on wire properties

Compounds

radiation pyrometer
  • Specialized
8.9

A tool that measures temperature of hot objects without touching them

resistance pyrometer
  • Specialized
8.4

A device that measures very high temperatures by watching how electricity in a hot wire changes

optical pyrometer
  • Specialized
8.8

A tool that measures very high temperatures by comparing a hot object's light color to a known value

Surface Forms

pyrometer singular
pyrometers plural

Morphology

pyrometer = meter (semi-transparent) = pyro + meter

The meaning is compositionally related to 'pyro-' plus 'meter', but the Greek combining form 'pyro-' is not a common standalone English word, so many learners will only partly see the structure.

Etymology

The word pyrometer comes from the Greek parts pyro ('fire') and meter ('measure'), so you can think of it as a 'fire-measurer' like a thermometer but for very high heat. That's why a pyrometer is a tool for measuring very high temperatures in places like furnaces and kilns.