An instrument that measures the strength of electric current flowing through a circuit, showing how many amperes are passing through.
From 'ampere' (the unit of electric current) + 'meter' (from Greek 'metron', meaning measure). This compound term emerged in electrical engineering in the late 1800s as electricity became commercially important.
An ammeter (the short form) is essentially the speedometer of electricity — it tells you how fast electrons are flowing through a wire! Every time you look at an electrical meter on your house, you're using technology that needs amperemeters to work.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.