micrometer
1 synonym for micrometer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A device for measuring distances very precisely over a small range, especially thickness, depth and diameter.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
micron
How to use micrometer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
digital micrometer
outside micrometer
measure with a micrometer
a few micrometers thick
Both senses are technical and suit engineering and scientific writing.
Etymology
The measuring device took its name from the French word micromètre, which combines micro- and -meter. The unit is a separate formation from micro-, meaning one millionth, and meter.
Full origin of micrometer →Frequently asked questions
What is a micrometer used for?
A micrometer is used to measure small distances very precisely, such as the thickness, depth or diameter of an object.
What is a micrometer in units?
A micrometer is a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter. British English spells the unit micrometre.
How do you pronounce micrometer?
In American English the device is pronounced my-KRAH-mih-ter, with the stress on the second syllable.
