1. an instrument that measures the rate of change of atmospheric pressure, used especially in aircraft to indicate rate of climb or descent
Usage: aviation
2. an electrical instrument with adjustable inductance used to tune circuits
Usage: electronics

Examples

• The pilot checked the variometer to monitor the aircraft’s rate of descent.
• The glider pilot relied on the variometer to find thermal updrafts.
• A sensitive variometer can detect even small changes in altitude.
• The radio technician adjusted the variometer to tune the circuit.
• Early radio equipment often used a variometer for frequency control.
• The variometer showed they were climbing at 500 feet per minute.