Word
Definition
n. a small electronic device that notices changes in things like heat, light, or movement. It sends this information to a computer or another machine to make it react.
n. a device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it. It typically converts a physical stimulus into an electronic signal for processing.
Examples
“The lights turn on automatically when the sensor detects movement.”
“Modern cars use a proximity sensor to warn the driver if they are getting too close to another vehicle.”
“The laboratory is equipped with a highly sensitive humidity sensor to ensure that the delicate chemical samples remain stable throughout the duration of the experiment.”
Examples
simple
“The lights turn on automatically when the sensor detects movement.”
contextual
“Modern cars use a proximity sensor to warn the driver if they are getting too close to another vehicle.”
complex
“The laboratory is equipped with a highly sensitive humidity sensor to ensure that the delicate chemical samples remain stable throughout the duration of the experiment.”
Usage
Commonly used in compound nouns such as 'motion sensor', 'heat sensor', or 'oxygen sensor'.
Etymology
Originated 1925–30, formed as a Latin loanword from sentiō (“to feel”) + -tor (“-er”). By surface analysis, sense + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sensor
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR