bathometer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / TechnicalTechnical / Scientific / Historical
Quick answer
What does “bathometer” mean?
An instrument for measuring the depth of water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An instrument for measuring the depth of water.
Any device, historically mechanical but now likely electronic or acoustic (like an echosounder), used for determining water depth, particularly in nautical or oceanographic contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or usage, as the term is obsolete in both varieties. The trademark 'Fathometer' was American.
Connotations
Connotes historical or antique technology in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely rare and specialist in both. Might appear in historical texts or as a deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “bathometer” in a Sentence
The [noun] used a bathometer to [verb] the depth.Readings from the bathometer indicated [noun phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bathometer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form. The action is 'to sound' or 'to take a sounding.']
American English
- [No verb form. The action is 'to sound' or 'to take a sounding.']
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form]
American English
- [No adverb form]
adjective
British English
- [No common adjective form. 'Bathymetric' relates to the measurement.]
American English
- [No common adjective form. 'Bathymetric' relates to the measurement.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical discussions of oceanography or navigation technology.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Extremely rare and dated. Modern technical writing uses 'echosounder,' 'multibeam sonar,' etc.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bathometer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bathometer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bathometer”
- Misspelling as 'bathameter' or 'bathometre'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to bathometer the depth').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. Modern oceanographers and sailors use 'echosounder,' 'sonar,' or 'depth sounder.'
A fathometer is a specific type of active echolocation depth sounder (a trademark that became generic), while a bathometer is a general, older term for any depth-measuring instrument.
It would be very unusual and likely misunderstood. Use 'depth finder' or simply say 'a device for measuring how deep water is.'
The field is called bathymetry. A bathometer is an instrument used in bathymetry.
An instrument for measuring the depth of water.
Bathometer is usually technical / scientific / historical in register.
Bathometer: in British English it is pronounced /bæˈθɒm.ɪ.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /bəˈθɑː.mə.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BATH-O-METER': a meter for measuring how deep your BATH is.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPTH IS A MEASURABLE QUANTITY (expressed via an instrument).
Practice
Quiz
What is a bathometer primarily used for?