vernier

1 of 2

noun

ver·​ni·​er ˈvər-nē-ər How to pronounce vernier (audio)
1
: a short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument for indicating parts of divisions
2
a
: a small auxiliary device used with a main device to obtain fine adjustment
b
: any of two or more small supplementary rocket engines or gas nozzles on a missile or a rocket vehicle for making fine adjustments in the speed or course or controlling the attitude

called also vernier engine

vernier

2 of 2

adjective

: having or comprising a vernier

Examples of vernier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The engine design features a large central engine surrounded by four vernier thrusters, which swivel round a point to precisely correct the rocket's attitude. Euan McKirdy, CNN, 16 May 2017
Adjective
The issue is that vernier thrusters on the Soyuz boosters and in the de-orbit engines of the Soyuz-MS spacecraft use a special grade of highly refined hydrogen peroxide. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vernier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

after Pierre vernier, who described such a scale in 1631

First Known Use

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vernier was in 1766

Dictionary Entries Near vernier

Cite this Entry

“Vernier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vernier. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vernier

noun
ver·​ni·​er
ˈvər-nē-ər
: a short scale made to slide along the divisions of an instrument marked for measuring or indicating parts of divisions

Biographical Definition

Vernier

biographical name

Ver·​nier vern-ˈyā How to pronounce Vernier (audio)
ˈvər-nē-ər
Pierre circa 1580–1637 French mathematician
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!