Search Dictionary
Definition of accelerometer
accelerometer
/ækˌsɛl.əˈrɑː.mɪ.tɚ/
ac · cel · er · om · e · ter
Plural:accelerometers
•Adjective:accelerometric
accelerometer Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
accelerometer Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
An electromechanical component used in electronics (such as smartphones and tablets) to detect the orientation, movement, and tilt of the device.
Example
"When you rotate your smartphone to watch a video, the internal accelerometer detects the change in orientation and instantly flips the screen."
2
An instrument for measuring acceleration, typically that of an automobile, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft, or that involved in the vibration of a machine or building.
Example
"The engineers installed an accelerometer on the bridge to monitor structural vibrations during heavy traffic."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for accelerometer• Rhymes for accelerometer
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid 19th century from the Latin 'accelerare' (to hasten) combined with the Greek suffix '-metron' (measure).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Accelerometer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/accelerometer