English Reference

Word

telemetry

Phoneticsteleme·try

US/təˈɫɛmətɹi/

UK/təlˈɛmətɹˌi/

Definition

n. the process of collecting data from a distance and sending it to a computer for study. You use this when tracking things like space rockets, racing cars, or wild animals.

n. the automated process of recording and transmitting data from remote or inaccessible sources to an IT system in a different location for monitoring and analysis.

Examples

“The car's telemetry showed a problem with the engine.”

“Engineers monitored the satellite's telemetry to ensure all systems were functioning correctly during the launch sequence.”

“Modern Formula One teams rely on real-time telemetry to make split-second decisions regarding pit stops and fuel management based on live sensor data from the vehicle.”

Examples

simple

“The car's telemetry showed a problem with the engine.”

contextual

“Engineers monitored the satellite's telemetry to ensure all systems were functioning correctly during the launch sequence.”

complex

“Modern Formula One teams rely on real-time telemetry to make split-second decisions regarding pit stops and fuel management based on live sensor data from the vehicle.”

Usage

Uncountable in its general sense; occasionally used as a countable noun when referring to specific sets of data or systems.

Real-World Examples

“Researchers began tracking the movements of migrating birds in the late 1960s using radio telemetry, a technique that requires tagged birds to be physically followed with receiver equipment, sometimes aided by a small aircraft.”
Phys.org · 9 Sept 2026
“About a quarter-hour before reentry, its signal via the Kourou ground station, which sent telemetry until the end, was lost forever.”
Phys.org · 2 Sept 2026

Etymology

From tele- + -metry.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Monitoring

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/telemetry

English Reference