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Glite Dictionary
tachometer

tachometer

1 7.6
A device that shows how fast an engine or wheel turns
  • noun
  • /təˈkɒmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tacómetro
  • The mechanic adjusted the tachometer settings to ensure accurate readings of the machine's rotational speed.
  • tachometer waveform
  • tachometer cable
  • measured by a tachometer

Examples

  • Each motor has a gear reduction box, a tachometer, and a failsafe electric brake on its tailshaft.

    Academic text (2004)

  • So it used to be there was a dashboard that had rather boring data, tachometer, speedometer, clock, if you wanted to get fancy.

  • The tachometer features the ability to set minimum and maximum speed values and a hold function.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The Mini Speed ProCT50 is a portable tachometer accurate to within 1 percent of reading.

    Academic text (2006)

  • You can see the tachometer is now shown on both sides of the speedometer display in the center, which really does enhance your sporty feel.

  • The phases of propulsion were established from the speed of the rear wheels as measured by a tachometer.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The gimbal was stabilized to the direction of forward progression by the tachometer cable.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The data for the tachometer and accelerometer waveforms were quantified using the Fourier series technique.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The race car's dashboard displayed a vibrant tachometer, indicating its engine speed during the competition.

  • To monitor the engine performance, he frequently checked the tachometer for the correct RPM levels.

Synonyms

tach
vstachometer
  • Jargon
23 9.6

A gauge in a car or motorcycle that shows how fast the engine is turning

is the technical instrument measuring rotation speed more generally
gyrometer
vstachometer
  • Specialized
9.8

A device that measures how fast something turns

measures rotation speed directly and often shows it numerically
velocimeter
vstachometer
  • Specialized
9.1

A tool that measures how fast something moves

focuses on rotational speed of shafts or disks instead of linear motion

How Precise

tachometer
  • Specialized
1 7.6
indicator
  • Specialized
11 3.7

Surface Forms

tachometer singular
tachometers plural

Morphology

tachometer = meter (semi-transparent) = tacho + meter

The word is built from the measuring-instrument base 'meter' plus the technical combining form 'tacho-', but the speed-of-rotation meaning is specialized and not fully obvious to most learners.

Etymology

Tachometer comes from Greek parts tachy- meaning 'fast' and -meter meaning 'measure', the same 'meter' you see in speedometer. So a tachometer measures how fast something turns, like the engine speed shown on a car's dashboard.