voltmeter

[ vohlt-mee-ter ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. a calibrated instrument for measuring the potential difference between two points.

voltmeter

/ ˈvəʊltˌmiːtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring potential difference or electromotive force

voltmeter

/ vōlt′mē′tər /

1. An instrument used for measuring the difference in voltage between two points in an electric circuit. Voltmeters typically make use of an ammeter that measures current flow across a known resistance inside the voltmeter; direct-current voltages can then be determined by Ohm's law. Digital voltmeters employ A/D converters to provide the numerical value of the voltage displayed.
2. Compare ohmmeter

Word History and Origins

Origin of voltmeter¹

First recorded in 1880–85; volt ¹ + -meter

Example Sentences

“How many voltmeters and hammers does one man need?”

From Seattle Times

As for the voltage check, we rigged up an oscilloscope to a voltmeter, then used an auxiliary cable to get a reading while having the stock players play a song for us.

From Time

The police officers seized a laptop, a voltmeter and a report on health conditions among prisoners, Mr. Mounir said.

From New York Times

He founded Non-Linear Systems in 1952 and invented the digital voltmeter in 1954 after he decided that analog voltmeters, which displayed current values with a movable needle, were not accurate enough.

From New York Times

He said voltmeters recovered from Grant's apartment could be used to construct bomb detonator circuits.

From Reuters