1. an instrument for measuring altitude or elevation, especially by determining the boiling point of water at different atmospheric pressures
Usage: technical; surveying

Examples

• The surveyor used a hypsometer to determine the mountain’s exact height.
• Early explorers relied on hypsometers to measure altitude in remote regions.
• The hypsometer showed they were at 8,000 feet above sea level.
• Scientists calibrated the hypsometer before beginning their expedition.
• The device works as a hypsometer by measuring water’s boiling point at altitude.
• Modern GPS has largely replaced the traditional hypsometer for altitude measurement.