Definition of "pedometer" [pe•dom•e•ter]

• An instrument that gauges the approximate distance traveled on foot by registering the number of steps taken. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The results suggest that the use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and significant decreases in body mass index and blood pressure."
• "Maybe a newfangled pedometer is called for — something like an electronic ankle bracelet (think Disturbia, if you must) that not only measures your steps but also gives a little electric shock when you spend too much time on the couch."
• "The thing about having a pedometer is that you have to set two variables on it in order to track you effectively; it needs to know your average pace, in inches, so it can tell you how far you walked, and it needs to know your weight in order to track the calories you've burned."