radiosonde

[ rey-dee-oh-sond ]

nounMeteorology.
  1. an instrument that is carried aloft by a balloon to send back information on atmospheric temperature, pressure, and humidity by means of a small radio transmitter.

Origin of radiosonde

1
First recorded in 1935–40; radio- + sonde

Words Nearby radiosonde

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British Dictionary definitions for radiosonde

radiosonde

/ (ˈreɪdɪəʊˌsɒnd) /


noun
  1. an airborne instrument used to send meteorological information back to earth by radio: Also called: radiometeorograph

Origin of radiosonde

1
C20: radio- + French sonde sounding line

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for radiosonde

radiosonde

[ dē-ō-sŏnd′ ]


  1. An instrument that is carried into the atmosphere by a balloon, makes measurements of temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed and direction, and transmits the measurements back to the ground. A radiosonde is typically sent to altitudes of approximately 30 km (18.6 mi). There are approximately 70 radiosonde stations across the continental United States. Each station launches two radiosondes daily.

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