interferometer

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​om·​e·​ter ˌin-tər-fə-ˈrä-mə-tər How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
ˌin-tə-, 
-ˌfi-ˈrä-
: an apparatus that utilizes the interference of waves (as of light) for precise determinations (as of distance or wavelength)
interferometric
ˌin-tər-ˌfir-ə-ˈme-trik How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
ˌin-tə-
adjective
interferometrically
ˌin-tər-ˌfir-ə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
ˌin-tə-
adverb
interferometry
ˌin-tər-fə-ˈrä-mə-trē How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
ˌin-tə-, 
-ˌfi-ˈrä-
noun

Examples of interferometer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The quantum sensor is an atom interferometer like the gravity-mapping device. — IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2022 The downside of an interferometer is that most of the incoming radiation just hits dirt (or in this case, lunar regolith), so the interferometer has to collect a lot of data to build up a decent signal. — ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025 Their sculptures enlist quantum interferometers—an apparatus of mirrors and lasers—as well as holograms to show that our culture’s insistence on independence is misguided and wrong on the most fundamental scale. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026 Scientists in Wales have built the world’s most sensitive table-top interferometer, which is a miniature, ultra-precise instrument capable of measuring distortions in space-time smaller than a trillionth of a human hair. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interferometer

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interferometer was in 1897

Rhymes for interferometer

See All Rhymes for interferometer

Browse Nearby Words

interferograph
interferometer
interferon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interferometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interferometer. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

interferometer

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​om·​e·​ter ˌint-ə(r)-fə-ˈräm-ət-ər How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
-ˌfir-ˈäm-
: an instrument that uses the interference of waves (as of light) for making exact measurements (as of wavelength)

Medical Definition

interferometer

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​om·​e·​ter ˌint-ə(r)-fə-ˈräm-ət-ər, -ˌfir-ˈäm- How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
: an instrument that utilizes the interference of waves (as of light) for precise determination especially of wavelength, spectral fine structure, indices of refraction, and very small linear displacements
interferometric
-ˌfir-ə-ˈme-trik How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
adjective
interferometrically
-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
adverb
interferometry
-fə-ˈräm-ə-trē, -ˌfir-ˈäm- How to pronounce interferometer (audio)
noun
plural interferometries

More from Merriam-Webster on interferometer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interferometer

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