sonde: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “sonde” mean?
A probe or device used to obtain information about the environment, atmosphere, or physical properties in a remote or inaccessible location.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A probe or device used to obtain information about the environment, atmosphere, or physical properties in a remote or inaccessible location.
In broader scientific and technical contexts, any instrument package designed to be launched, dropped, or inserted to gather data, including atmospheric weather balloons, oceanographic sensors, or medical diagnostic tools.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both scientific communities.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialist in both the UK and US. More likely encountered in meteorological, oceanographic, or aerospace engineering contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sonde” in a Sentence
The sonde measured [parameter][Entity] launched/deployed a sondeData from/transmitted by the sondeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sonde” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team will sonde the upper atmosphere tomorrow.
American English
- They plan to sonde the storm's intensity with an aircraft.
adjective
British English
- The sonde data was crucial for the forecast.
American English
- We reviewed the sonde measurements from the launch.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in research papers and reports within meteorology, climatology, oceanography, and planetary science.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Unfamiliar to the general public.
Technical
Standard term for describing expendable data-gathering probes in relevant engineering and scientific fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sonde”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sonde”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sonde”
- Misspelling as 'sond' or 'sonnd'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'tool' or 'sensor'.
- Incorrect plural: 'sondes' is correct, not 'sondees'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly technical term used almost exclusively in scientific and engineering contexts related to atmospheric, oceanic, or space exploration.
A sonde is typically a relatively small, often expendable instrument package that travels through a medium (like the atmosphere) and may not orbit. A satellite is a larger vehicle placed in orbit around a celestial body. A sonde might be launched by a rocket but not achieve orbit.
Yes, though rare. To 'sonde' means to investigate or take measurements using a sonde (e.g., 'to sonde the atmosphere'). The noun form is vastly more common.
It is the most common specific type of sonde. It's a battery-powered instrument package carried aloft by a weather balloon that measures atmospheric parameters (pressure, temperature, humidity) and radios the data back to a ground station.
A probe or device used to obtain information about the environment, atmosphere, or physical properties in a remote or inaccessible location.
Sonde is usually technical/scientific in register.
Sonde: in British English it is pronounced /sɒnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɑːnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SENDing' a SOND'E' into the sky or sea to SOUND out information.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN INSTRUMENT IS A MESSENGER (sent into unknown territory to bring back news).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'sonde' MOST commonly used?