resistance thermometer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “resistance thermometer” mean?
A type of thermometer that measures temperature by detecting changes in the electrical resistance of a metal element (usually platinum).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of thermometer that measures temperature by detecting changes in the electrical resistance of a metal element (usually platinum).
A precision temperature sensor based on the principle that the electrical resistance of a conductor changes predictably with temperature. Often called an RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The abbreviation 'RTD' is equally common in both technical registers.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and confined to engineering, physics, and industrial contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “resistance thermometer” in a Sentence
The [material, e.g., platinum] resistance thermometer is used for...Calibrate the resistance thermometer against a...Connect the resistance thermometer to a [bridge/readout device].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resistance thermometer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system needs to be resistance-thermometer-sensed.
American English
- The setup was resistance-thermometer-monitored.
adjective
British English
- We require a resistance-thermometer calibration certificate.
American English
- The resistance-thermometer reading was logged.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in procurement or specification documents for industrial equipment.
Academic
Common in engineering, physics, and materials science papers and lab reports.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in instrumentation, process control, and laboratory science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “resistance thermometer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “resistance thermometer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resistance thermometer”
- Incorrect plural: 'resistance thermometers' (correct), not 'resistances thermometer'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing 'thermometer' on the first syllable (/ˈθɜːməmiːtə/) is less common in technical speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Resistance Temperature Detector, which is synonymous with resistance thermometer.
Platinum, due to its stable and predictable resistance-temperature relationship.
A resistance thermometer measures change in resistance, offering higher accuracy and stability over a smaller range. A thermocouple generates a voltage from temperature differences between two junctions, is less accurate but covers wider ranges and is more rugged.
No, it is a specialized technical term used almost exclusively in engineering, scientific, and industrial contexts.
A type of thermometer that measures temperature by detecting changes in the electrical resistance of a metal element (usually platinum).
Resistance thermometer is usually technical/scientific in register.
Resistance thermometer: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstəns θəˈmɒmɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstəns θərˈmɑːmətər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RESISTANCE changes with heat, THERMO-meter measures heat. It's a thermometer that works by electrical resistance.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEMPERATURE IS ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core operating principle of a resistance thermometer?