hodometer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “hodometer” mean?
A device for measuring distance traveled by a vehicle, typically by counting the rotations of a wheel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device for measuring distance traveled by a vehicle, typically by counting the rotations of a wheel.
A mechanical or electronic instrument that records the total distance a vehicle has traveled; sometimes used metaphorically to indicate the progression or passage of events measured in stages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in usage. The word is equally obsolete in both varieties. 'Odometer' is the universal standard term.
Connotations
Historical, antiquated, technical. Its use may signal a historical context or a highly formal/pedantic style.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both British and American English. Likely unknown to the vast majority of speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “hodometer” in a Sentence
The [noun] has a hodometer.The hodometer showed [number] miles.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Found only in historical papers or discussions of the etymology of 'odometer'.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Potentially found in very old technical manuals or as a pedantic synonym for 'odometer'. Not used in modern engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hodometer”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hodometer”
- Using 'hodometer' in modern contexts; misspelling as 'hodemetre'/'hodameter'; confusing it with 'speedometer'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is a historical and now obsolete variant of 'odometer'. It is not used in contemporary language.
No, unless you are studying historical texts. You should learn and use 'odometer' instead.
It derives from Greek 'hodos' (way, path) and 'metron' (measure). It was an early term adopted into English for a distance-measuring device.
In British English, /hɒˈdɒmɪtə/ (ho-DOM-i-tuh). In American English, /hoʊˈdɑːmɪt̬ɚ/ (hoh-DAH-mi-ter).
A device for measuring distance traveled by a vehicle, typically by counting the rotations of a wheel.
Hodometer is usually technical, historical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hod' as an old word for a carrying device (like a hod for bricks), and 'meter' for measure. It 'carries' the count of the distance.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASURING IS RECORDING; TIME/DISTANCE IS A LINEAR PATH WITH MARKERS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the modern, standard term for a 'hodometer'?