chronograph

noun

chro·​no·​graph ˈkrä-nə-ˌgraf How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
ˈkrō-
Synonyms of chronographnext
: an instrument for measuring and recording time intervals: such as
a
: an instrument having a revolving drum on which a stylus makes marks
b
: stopwatch
also : a watch incorporating the functions of a stopwatch
c
: an instrument for measuring the time of flight of projectiles
chronographic
ˌkrä-nə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
ˌkrō-
adjective
chronography
krə-ˈnä-grə-fē How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
noun

Examples of chronograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The in-house self-winding chronograph movement (Caliber GP03300) drives two counters and small seconds as well as a date display. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chronograph

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French chronographe, from chrono- chrono- + -graphe -graph

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronograph was in 1851

Rhymes for chronograph

See All Rhymes for chronograph

Browse Nearby Words

chronogrammic
chronograph
chronographer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chronograph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronograph. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

chronograph

noun
chro·​no·​graph ˈkrän-ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
ˈkrō-nə-
: an instrument for measuring and recording stretches of time with exactness
chronographic
ˌkrän-ə-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
ˌkrō-nə-
adjective
chronography
krə-ˈnäg-rə-fē How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

chronograph

noun
chro·​no·​graph ˈkrän-ə-ˌgraf, ˈkrō-nə- How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
: an instrument for measuring and recording time intervals: as
a
: an instrument having a revolving drum on which a stylus makes marks
b
: a watch incorporating the functions of a stopwatch
chronographic
ˌkrän-ə-ˈgraf-ik, ˌkrō-nə- How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
adjective
chronography
krə-ˈnäg-rə-fē How to pronounce chronograph (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chronograph

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chronograph

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All