wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Very Low Frequency (C2+ Level)Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer” mean?
A type of thermometer consisting of two thermometers, one with a dry bulb and one with a wet bulb (covered by a moistened wick), used together to measure relative humidity or dew point.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of thermometer consisting of two thermometers, one with a dry bulb and one with a wet bulb (covered by a moistened wick), used together to measure relative humidity or dew point.
An instrument used primarily in meteorology, climatology, and HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) to determine atmospheric humidity. The difference in temperature readings between the two bulbs, when used with a psychrometric chart, allows for the calculation of humidity levels.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The device name is standard in both technical communities. Spelling of 'metre' vs. 'meter' does not apply here as 'thermometer' is spelled the same.
Connotations
Identical technical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer” in a Sentence
The wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer is used to [determine/calculate/measure] X.Readings from the wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer [show/indicate/suggest] Y.[Consult/Use/Operate] a wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to wet-and-dry-bulb the room to check the humidity. (Extremely rare, non-standard verbification.)
American English
- The technician wet-and-dry-bulbed the storage facility. (Extremely rare, non-standard verbification.)
adjective
British English
- The wet-and-dry-bulb technique is classic but reliable.
- He took a wet-and-dry-bulb reading.
American English
- We performed a wet-and-dry-bulb measurement.
- The old wet-and-dry-bulb method is still taught.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Potentially in agriculture, HVAC contracting, or industrial climate control reports, but highly specialised.
Academic
Used in meteorology, physics, engineering, and environmental science textbooks and research.
Everyday
Virtually never used. An everyday speaker would simply refer to a 'humidity meter' or not know the term.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Precise term in meteorology, HVAC engineering, and archival or museum climate monitoring.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer”
- Misplacing hyphens: 'wet and dry bulb thermometer' (less standard) vs. the hyphenated form.
- Calling just one of the two thermometers a 'wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer'. It is the pair.
- Confusing it with a simple thermometer.
- Incorrect verb agreement: treating it as plural ('The wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer are...') instead of singular ('...is...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a specific type of hygrometer known as a psychrometer. 'Hygrometer' is the broader category for all humidity-measuring instruments.
Evaporation of water from the wick around the wet bulb cools it down. The rate of evaporation (and thus cooling) is directly affected by the air's humidity.
Meteorologists, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) engineers, agricultural scientists, and conservators in museums or archives.
No, the instrument's function relies on the comparative reading between the two bulbs. A single bulb would just show the ambient air temperature.
A type of thermometer consisting of two thermometers, one with a dry bulb and one with a wet bulb (covered by a moistened wick), used together to measure relative humidity or dew point.
Wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer is usually technical / scientific in register.
Wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌwet ən ˌdraɪ ˈbʌlb θəˈmɒm.ɪ.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌwet ən ˌdraɪ ˈbʌlb θɚˈmɑː.mə.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is purely technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a thermometer with a cold (WET) head and a normal (DRY) head. Together, they "feel" how much water is in the air. Wet & Dry → Humidity High & Low.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING THE INVISIBLE (MOISTURE) THROUGH THE VISIBLE (TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE). The instrument translates an intangible property (humidity) into a tangible, measurable relationship (temperature difference).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer?