Meaning & Definition of word "Sensor"
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Sensor
/ˈsɛnsər/
noun:
- 1. A device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
- Example: The smoke sensor triggered the alarm when it detected smoke in the building.
- 2. A component of a system that converts a physical parameter into an electrical signal for processing.
- Example: The temperature sensor sends readings to the thermostat to regulate the heating.
- 3. A device that responds to a stimulus such as light, heat, motion, or pressure.
- Example: The motion sensor automatically turns on the lights when someone enters the room.
- 4. An instrument used to measure and convert physical quantities into signals that can be read and analyzed.
- Example: The pressure sensor in the tire monitors air pressure and alerts the driver if it drops too low.
- 5. A biological or artificial mechanism that interprets inputs and translates them into a usable format.
- Example: The retinal sensor in the camera mimics the way human eyes perceive light.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'sensus', meaning 'feeling' or 'sense'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
motion sensor:
A device that detects movement in a physical space.
temperature sensor:
A sensor that measures the temperature of an object or environment.
light sensor:
A device that measures light intensity.
Related Words
detector:
A device that detects or identifies the presence of something.
transducer:
An apparatus that converts one form of energy to another.
measuring instrument:
An instrument used to determine the quantity of a physical quantity.
Slang Meanings of sensor
Meaning: A device that gets triggered easily.
Example Sentence: That car alarm is such a sensor; it goes off at the slightest noise.
Meaning: Someone overly sensitive to their surroundings.
Example Sentence: He's a total sensor; he can't handle any criticism.