geiger counter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Scientific, occasionally journalistic
Quick answer
What does “geiger counter” mean?
A portable electronic device used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A portable electronic device used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation.
Any sensitive indicator of potential danger or rising activity in a particular field, often used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. Pronunciation differs slightly in the first vowel of 'Geiger' and rhoticity in 'counter'.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. Metaphorical use is equally rare in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in everyday conversation, but standard in scientific, industrial, and historical (e.g., Cold War) contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “geiger counter” in a Sentence
to check/measure/detect radiation with a Geiger counterThe Geiger counter clicked/went off/registered a reading.readings from a Geiger counterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “geiger counter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Geiger-counter reading was alarming.
American English
- He made a Geiger-counter check of the area.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in industries involving nuclear energy, mining, or environmental safety.
Academic
Standard term in physics, environmental science, and history (Cold War studies).
Everyday
Rare; appears in news about nuclear incidents or in historical documentaries.
Technical
Precise term for a specific type of gas-filled radiation detection instrument.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “geiger counter”
- Incorrect: 'Geiger meter', 'Geiger detector'. Correct: 'Geiger counter'. Also, often misspelled as 'Geigger counter' or 'Gieger counter'.
- Incorrect use of plural: 'Geigers counter'. Correct: 'Geiger counters'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Geiger counter detects and indicates the presence of radiation, often with audible clicks. A dosimeter measures the cumulative dose of radiation absorbed over time.
Each click represents the detection of a single ionizing event (e.g., an alpha or beta particle or gamma-ray photon interacting with the gas inside the tube).
Standard Geiger counters are best at detecting beta and gamma radiation. They are less efficient for alpha particles, which can be blocked by the tube's window.
Yes, as it is a proper noun derived from the inventor's surname. The full term is often capitalized as 'Geiger Counter', but 'Geiger counter' is the most common styling.
A portable electronic device used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation.
Geiger counter is usually technical/scientific, occasionally journalistic in register.
Geiger counter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡaɪɡə ˌkaʊntə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡaɪɡər ˌkaʊntər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to act like a Geiger counter (for sth) = to be highly sensitive to a particular type of problem or activity”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a German scientist named GEIGer COUNTing the clicks of radiation.
Conceptual Metaphor
DETECTION IS CLICKING; DANGER IS RADIATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a Geiger counter?