What does telemeter mean?
A telemeter is an instrument or system that measures a quantity, often the distance between two points, and transmits the readings from a remote location. Surveyors may use a laser telemeter to determine the width of a valley or the height of a distant structure, while spacecraft, aircraft, weather stations, and industrial installations use electronic telemeters to send measurements to a control center. As a verb, “to telemeter” means to transmit such readings from afar. The word is formal and specialist rather than everyday, but it remains useful because it names both the physical measuring equipment and the distinctive act of remote data transmission. It should not be confused with telemetry, which refers to the measurements or communication process rather than the instrument itself. Related technical vocabulary—including telemetry, telematics, and telemechanics—continues the idea of controlling, monitoring, or measuring something across a distance.
An instrument or system that measures quantities, often distance, and transmits readings from a remote location.
"A laser telemeter helped the survey team measure the width of the ravine."
The noun is used mainly in technical fields such as surveying, aeronautics, spaceflight, meteorology, and industrial monitoring.
To transmit measurements or other readings from a distant location, especially by radio or telemetry.
"The weather station telemetered its temperature readings throughout the night."
This use is relatively uncommon and is most often found in technical and professional contexts.
The standard plural of the noun is “telemeters.”
"The technicians calibrated two telemeters before the flight."
Tele-meter literally means “measure afar”: from the Greek roots for “far” and “measure.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of telemeter
The English word dates from the early 19th century and was formed from Greek tēle, meaning “far” or “at a distance,” and metron, meaning “measure,” together with the English suffix -er. Its development reflected the wider 19th-century use of combining forms for instruments and systems that operate over distances. Telemetry and telematics continue this remote-measurement idea, while telemechanics is a related formation combining the same sense of distance with mechanics.
Related word forms
How telemeter is actually used
The term is chiefly technical, appearing in surveying, aeronautics, spaceflight, meteorology, industry, and military contexts. As a verb, it is less common and refers specifically to the remote transmission of measurements.
Easily confused with telemeter
A telemeter is the instrument or system that collects and transmits measurements, whereas telemetry is the data or process of transmitting those measurements.