Definition of "thermocouple" [ther•mo•cou•ple]

• A thermoelectric device used to measure temperatures accurately, especially one consisting of two dissimilar metals joined so that a potential difference generated between the points of contact is a measure of the temperature difference between the points. (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.

• "Using beakers, a scale and a fancy temperature sensor called a thermocouple, he set to work with ice and water."
• "The heart of the "heat radio" is a very tiny and very delicate thermocouple, which is mounted at the focal point of a large metallic reflector."
• "Accepts any type temperature sensor such as thermocouple, RTD, thermistor with a very high degree of accuracy."