What does hygrometer mean?
A hygrometer is an instrument that measures humidity, especially the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Relative humidity expresses the amount of water vapor in the air as a percentage of the maximum amount the air could hold at that temperature. Hygrometers are used in museums, warehouses, greenhouses, laboratories, homes, and industrial settings to monitor moisture and help protect materials, products, plants, or equipment. They may use electronic sensors, organic materials whose properties change with moisture, or other measurement systems. The term is formal and technical, so “humidity meter” is often more accessible in everyday use. A hygrometer should not be confused with a barometer, which measures air pressure, or with the more specific term “psychrometer,” which denotes a device based on wet- and dry-bulb or chilled-mirror measurement. Despite that technical distinction, the broader word “hygrometer” is often used for any instrument whose purpose is to measure humidity.
nounAn instrument for measuring the humidity of the air or another environment. Hygrometers commonly indicate relative humidity, expressed as a percentage.
- An instrument used to measure the moisture content or relative humidity of air or another environment.
"The hygrometer showed that the museum's humidity had risen above the level required to protect its paintings."
"A hygrometer in the recording studio helped maintain stable conditions for the instruments."
"The technician checked the hygrometer before placing the delicate components in storage."
The plural is formed by adding the suffix -s.
"The museum installed several hygrometers in its storage rooms."
A hygrometer literally means a “wet measure”: its name joins the Greek words for moisture and measurement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hygrometer come from?
The word comes from Greek húgros, meaning “wet” or “moist,” and metron, meaning “measure.” Its formation reflects the instrument's function: it measures the moisture content of the surrounding environment. The combining form hygro- survives in related words such as hygrometry, hygrograph, and hygroscopic.
Related word forms
How hygrometer is actually used
Hygrometer is a formal and technical term. In general speech, it may be called a humidity meter or moisture meter. Its readings usually refer to relative humidity rather than the absolute amount of water vapor present.
Easily confused with hygrometer
A hygrometer measures atmospheric moisture, whereas a barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
A hygrometer is the general term for a humidity-measuring instrument, while a psychrometer specifically uses a wet- and dry-bulb or chilled-mirror method.