Pitot tube

[ pee-toh, pee-toh ]

noun

1. (often lowercase) an instrument for measuring fluid velocity, consisting of a narrow tube, one end of which is open and faces upstream, the other end being connected to a manometer.

Pitot tube

/ ˈpiːtəʊ /

noun

1. a small tube placed in a fluid with its open end upstream and the other end connected to a manometer. It measures the total pressure of the fluid
2. short for Pitot-static tube, esp one fitted to an aircraft

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pitot tube¹

1880–85; named after Henri Pitot (1695–1771), French physicist, who invented it

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pitot tube¹

C18: named after its inventor, Henri Pitot (1695–1771), French physicist

Example Sentences

In this case, suspicion fell on an instrument called a pitot tube that measures the speed at which the airplane is flying.

From The Daily Beast

In the 20th century the pitot tube was adapted to become the key instrument in measuring the air speed of planes.

From The Daily Beast

He came up with a breakthrough idea in the field of fluid dynamics, with a device that became known as the Pitot tube.

From The Daily Beast

The Pitot tube also fails to give measurable indications of very low velocities.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pitot tube, like the hydrodynamometer, does not require a time observation.

From Project Gutenberg