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telemetry

tuh-LEM-i-tree /təˈlɛmɪtri/

nounC1GRETOEFL

technical

The automatic measurement and wireless transmission of data from remote sensors to receiving equipment for monitoring.

Emphasizes automated, continuous data collection over distance without direct human manual measurement.

The story behind the word. Coined in the 19th century from Greek tele (distant) and metron (measure). Early telemetry systems were used in power grids and weather monitoring before becoming vital to aerospace, medicine, and fleet dispatch.

Word relationships

telemetrics: Telemetrics is the field of study; telemetry is the actual system or data transmission process.
remote monitoring: Remote monitoring is a broader plain phrase, while telemetry specifically implies automated sensor measurement.

manual reading: Data gathered directly on-site by hand measurement.

Commonly confused with

telepathy: Telepathy is supposed mind-reading; telemetry is electronic data measurement from afar.

Word family

telemetric (adjective): Relating to or measured by telemetry.
telemeter (verb/noun): To transmit data remotely, or the device doing so.

Collocations

live telemetry
telemetry data
cardiac telemetry
remote telemetry

Example sentences

"Electrocardiogram telemetry was transmitted from the moving ambulance directly to the hospital trauma team." Ambulance cardiac monitoring
"Real-time telemetry provides dispatchers with engine status, speed, and fuel levels for every active patrol car." Vehicle fleet management

Memory hook

TELE-METRY: TELE-phone distance + MEA-suring meters = automated data from afar. Measuring from a distance.

When not to use

Do not use for voice communications or manual written messages.

Fun facts

Modern smart watches send emergency crash telemetry automatically to emergency call centers if they detect a sudden impact.