seismogram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “seismogram” mean?
A graph or record produced by a seismograph, showing ground motion over time, typically from an earthquake or explosion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A graph or record produced by a seismograph, showing ground motion over time, typically from an earthquake or explosion.
Any time-series record of ground displacement, velocity, or acceleration measured by a seismic instrument. In broader scientific contexts, it can refer to the visual output of any instrument measuring vibrations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Usage is identical in both varieties within the scientific community.
Connotations
Purely technical term with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, used exclusively in seismology, geology, geophysics, and related engineering fields. Frequency is identical in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “seismogram” in a Sentence
N of N (seismogram of the earthquake)N from N (seismogram from the station)N showing N (seismogram showing P-waves)V N (to plot a seismogram)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seismogram” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The event was successfully seismogrammed by the network.
- They aim to seismogram the aftershock sequence.
American English
- The tremor was seismogrammed at three stations.
- We need to seismogram the region for a full year.
adverb
British English
- The signal was recorded seismogrammatically.
- Data is stored seismogram-wise for each event.
American English
- The results were presented seismogrammatically.
- Files are organized seismogram-by-seismogram.
adjective
British English
- The seismogram analysis took several hours.
- He is an expert in seismogram interpretation.
American English
- The seismogram data was uploaded to the repository.
- A seismogram plot is shown in Figure 2.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in geophysics, earth sciences, and civil engineering research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in news reports about major earthquakes, often accompanied by explanation.
Technical
Standard term in seismology for the primary data output. Used by seismologists, geologists, and earthquake engineers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “seismogram”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “seismogram”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seismogram”
- Using 'seismogram' to refer to the instrument (seismograph).
- Misspelling as 'seismograph' when referring to the data.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A seismograph is the instrument that detects and measures ground motion. A seismogram is the graph or digital record produced by the seismograph.
Yes. Seismograms can record ground motion from volcanic activity, explosions (like nuclear tests), large landslides, oceanic waves, and even cultural noise like traffic or machinery.
The squiggly lines represent the movement of the ground. The amplitude (height) of the squiggles indicates the strength of the shaking, and the pattern shows the arrival of different seismic wave types (P-waves, S-waves, surface waves).
No, it is a highly specialized technical term used almost exclusively by seismologists, geophysicists, geologists, and related engineers. The average person will likely never use or encounter this word outside of specific educational or news contexts about earthquakes.
A graph or record produced by a seismograph, showing ground motion over time, typically from an earthquake or explosion.
Seismogram is usually technical/scientific in register.
Seismogram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪzmə(ʊ)ɡram/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪzməˌɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SEISMO (shake) + GRAM (something written/drawn) = a written/drawn record of shaking.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SEISMOGRAM IS A FINGERPRINT (uniquely identifies an earthquake's source and path). A SEISMOGRAM IS A VITAL SIGN (monitors the health/stress of the Earth's crust).
Practice
Quiz
What does a seismogram primarily represent?