sensor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / General
Quick answer
What does “sensor” mean?
A device that detects or measures a physical property (such as temperature, light, motion, or pressure) and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device that detects or measures a physical property (such as temperature, light, motion, or pressure) and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
Any broader mechanism or faculty that receives and reacts to stimuli or signals; sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person or system highly attuned to detecting changes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent. Contexts of use (IoT, automotive, domestic) are identical.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. Associated with modern technology, automation, and data collection.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in technical and general contexts in both regions due to globalized technology.
Grammar
How to Use “sensor” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] sensor detected [OBJECT/EVENT]A sensor for [PURPOSE] (e.g., for measuring temperature)Sensor + [VERB] (e.g., sensors monitor, track, trigger)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sensor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sensor array is crucial.
- We need more sensor data.
American English
- The sensor technology is evolving.
- Check the sensor readings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in contexts of smart technology, product features, IoT (Internet of Things), and supply chain monitoring.
Academic
Used in engineering, physics, computer science, robotics, and environmental science papers.
Everyday
Common in discussing home security systems, smartphones, cars (parking sensors), smart appliances, and wearables.
Technical
Precise term in electronics, automation, control systems, and data acquisition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sensor”
- Misspelling as 'censor' or 'senser'. Using as a verb (e.g., 'The system sensors the temperature' is incorrect; use 'senses' or 'detects').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'sensor' is primarily a noun. The related verb is 'sense'. In technical jargon, 'to sensor' is very rare and non-standard.
All sensors are transducers, but not all transducers are sensors. A sensor specifically detects or measures a physical property. A transducer is a broader term for any device that converts energy from one form to another (e.g., a speaker, which is an actuator, is also a transducer).
Only metaphorically, e.g., 'He was a sensor for the mood in the room', meaning he was highly perceptive. This is not the standard technical meaning.
No, the gerund/noun related to the function is 'sensing'. 'Sensoring' is not a standard English word.
A device that detects or measures a physical property (such as temperature, light, motion, or pressure) and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
Sensor is usually technical / general in register.
Sensor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsen.sə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsen.sɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have one's sensors on (alert, attuned)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A SENSOR SENses OR detects something. It's like a sense organ for a machine.
Conceptual Metaphor
MACHINES ARE BODIES (sensors are the machine's sense organs).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary function of a sensor?