QIMT Glossary



Definitions of Metrology terms & phrases.

If you know of a term or phrase that belongs here, you can submit the term or phrase and associated definition by adding an entry. NOTE: All entries are reviewed and approved prior to being seen by others on the site.


Procedure for adding a Definition:

  1. Click on the "Add a New Entry" button.
  2. Under the first required field labeled 'Concept', enter the Metrology word or term.
  3. In the 'Description' Field, put the definition, don't forget to use the "DeWord" button to remove MS Word formatting if you are copying and pasting from MS Word; see lounge forum for note regarding this issue.
  4. Ignore the other entries and submit.


You can browse using the alphabet, or find a definition by searching for any term, or by any text within the definition itself. Or click on ALL to see all the posted definitions.

You can also start discussions by 'commenting' on a definition.cool

Use the little icon in the corner of the quote to comment.

Browse the glossary using this index

Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

Page:  1  2  3  4  5  (Next)
  ALL

M

Maintenance of a measurement standard

Set of measures necessary to preserve the metrological characteristics of a measurement standard within appropriate limits.

Market surveillance

used to enforce legal metrology

Material measure

Device intended to reproduce or supply, in a permanent manner during its use, one or more known values of a given quantity. e.g. a weight, a volume measure, a gauge block, or a reference material.

Maximum permissible errors (of a measuring instrument)

Extreme values of an error permitted by specifications, regulations, etc. for a given measuring instrument.

Measurand

Particular quantity subject to measurement.

Measure, material

Device intended to take a measurement, alone or in conjunction with supplementary devices.

Measurement

Set of operations for the purpose of determining the value of a quantity.

Measurement procedure

Set of operations, described specifically, used in the performance of particular measurements according to a given method.

Measurement standard, etalon

Material measure, measuring instrument, reference material or measuring system intended to define, realise, conserve or reproduce a unit or one or more values of a quantity to serve as a reference.

Measurement standard, international

Standard recognised by an international agreement to serve internationally as the basis for assigning values to other standards of the quantity concerned.

Measurement standard, maintenance

Set of operations necessary to preserve the metrological characteristics of a measurement standard within appropriate limits.

Measurement standard, national

Standard recognised by a national decision to serve in a country as the basis for assigning values to other standards of the quantity concerned.

Measurement Uncertainty

"A parameter associated with the result of a measurement, that characterizes the dispersion of the values that could reasonably be attributed to the measurand."


Measurement unit

See Unit of measurement. A particular quantity, defined and adopted by convention, with which other quantities of the same kind are compared in order to express their magnitudes relative to that quantity.

Measuring chain

Series of elements of a measuring instrument or measuring system that constitutes the path of the measurement signal from the input to the output.

Measuring error

Result of a measurement minus a true value of the measurand.

Measuring error, absolute

When it is necessary to distinguish “error” from “relative error” the former is sometimes called “absolute error of measurement”.

Measuring instrument

Device intended to be used to make measurements, alone or in conjunction with supplementary devices.

Measuring range

Set of values of measurands for which the error of a measuring instrument is intended to lie within specified limits.

Measuring result

Value attributed to a measured measurand arrived at by measurement.

Measuring system

Complete set of measuring instruments and other equipment assembled to carry out specified measurements.

Measuring unit off-system

Unit of measurement that does not belong to a given system of units.

METAS

Swiss Federal Office of Metrology and Accreditation, the national metrological institute of Switzerland.

Method of measurement

Logical sequence of operations, described generically, used in the performance of measurements.

Metre Convention

International convention established in 1875 for the purpose of ensuring a globally uniform system of measuring units. In 2003 there were 51 member nations.

MetreConvention

International convention established in 1875 for the purpose of ensuring a globally uniform system of measuring units. In 2003 there were 51 member nations.

Metric system

A measuring system based on metres and kilograms. Subsequently developed into the SI system.

Metrological subject field

Metrology is divided into 11 subject fields.

Metrologist

One who is a specialist in one or more metrology disciplines. The informal categories associated with being a metrologist are:

Metrology

From the Greek word “metron” = measurement. The science of measurement.

Metrology Engineer

One who capable in the design of measurement processes to meet specified capabilities and/or facilitates the development of the measurement methods used in measurement processes. This requires an understanding of the physics involved and the uncertainty contributors that are significant to the process capability.

Definition created by QIMT

Metrology Technician

One who capable in the performance of measurement processes of one or more metrology disciplines. This requires a basic understanding of the physics involved and how to guard against the undesirable influences the operator can have on the measurement result.

Definition created by QIMT

Metrology, fundamental

There is no international definition of the expression “fundamental metrology” but this expression stands for the most accurate level of measurement within a given discipline.

Metrology, industrial

Ensures appropriate function of the measuring instruments used in industry as well as in production and testing processes.

Metrology, legal

Ensures accuracy of measurement where measured values can affect health, safety, or the transparency of financial transactions.

Metrology, scientific

Endeavours to organise, develop and maintain measuring standards.

MID

The Measuring Instruments Directive

MIRS

Standards and Metrology Institute of Slovenia, the national metrological institute of Slovenia.

MKSA system

A system of measurement units based on Metres, Kilograms, Seconds and Amperes. In 1954 the system was extended to include the Kelvin and the Candela. It was then given the name “SI system”.

MRA

see Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

Mutual Recognition Arrangement, CIPM

MRA for national measurement standards and for calibration and measurement certificates issued by NMIs.


Page:  1  2  3  4  5  (Next)
  ALL