odometer

USAGE SUMMARY

"odometer" is a correct word in written English and it can generally be used to refer to a device that is used for measuring the distance a vehicle has traveled.
Example: The odometer of our car showed that we had driven 500 miles since we left home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This resets the days on market counter and removes the stigma attached to a slow-selling house, a practice similar to resetting the odometer of a used car...The issue with resetting the odometer is that extra miles driven generate wear and tear on the engine, which may actually be unobservable to a potential buyer.

The Economist

But presumably the "hidden flaws" in a house aren't truly hidden if they're keeping the house from selling at the listed price.This is not equivalent to odometer manipulation, which hides important information.

The Economist

It was, in effect, the first odometer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A set of these rotors is usually arranged in a stack called a basket; the rotation of each of the rotors in the stack causes the next one to rotate, much as the wheels in an odometer advance 1/10 of a revolution for every full revolution of its driving wheel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Viewed as analogues, many common devices can be considered as integrators examples being the odometer and the watt-hour meter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An earlier "first" was John Ogilby's Britannia, published in 1675, an atlas of road strip maps plotted by odometer and compass, presaging the modern road map.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It ends with the description of an odometer for measuring the distance a wagon or cart travels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The odometer registers the distance traveled by the vehicle; it consists of a train of gears (with a gear ratio of 1,000 1) that causes a drum, graduated in 10ths of a mile or kilometre, to make one turn per mile or kilometre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I chew my lip, staring at the odometer.

Independent

Speedometer, instrument that indicates the speed of a vehicle, usually combined with a device known as an odometer that records the distance traveled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He sees Mrs. Pulsifer again when her odometer switches from 9's to 0's-she was driving one snowy day and called him from where he was standing on a street corner to come with her and wait for the event which she brought on by driving around higgledy-piggledy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a vehicle's condition, use the "odometer" reading as an objective indicator of its usage and potential wear.

Common error

Avoid using "odometer" when you mean "speedometer". The "odometer" measures distance traveled, while the speedometer indicates the current speed of the vehicle.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "odometer" is as a noun. It typically functions as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to the instrument itself, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "odometer" is a common noun referring to an instrument that measures the distance traveled by a vehicle. It's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including news reports, encyclopedias, and everyday conversations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Related phrases include "mileage counter" and "distance recorder". A key writing tip is to use the "odometer" reading to objectively describe a vehicle's usage, while avoiding confusing it with "speedometer". Overall, "odometer" is a straightforward term with a well-defined meaning and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mileage indicator

Focuses on the odometer's function of indicating the accumulated mileage.

mileage counter

Focuses on the counting function and relates to distance measured in miles.

distance recorder

Highlights the recording aspect of the device, emphasizing the tracking of traveled distance.

trip meter

Refers to a specific type of odometer that can be reset to measure individual trips.

vehicle mileage

Specifies the accumulated distance traveled by a vehicle, as indicated by the odometer.

total distance traveled

Emphasizes the concept of measuring the entirety of distance covered by a vehicle.

instrument panel reading

Broader term referring to any data displayed on a vehicle's dashboard, including the odometer.

dashboard gauge

A general term for any gauge on a car's dashboard, including the odometer.

vehicle's clock

Informal term related to distance that is commonly used in the used car marketplace.

mechanical counter

General description of the odometer as a device, focusing on its mechanical counting nature.

FAQs

How to use "odometer" in a sentence?

You can use "odometer" in a sentence like: "The car's "odometer" showed that we had driven 200 miles on our trip."

What's the purpose of an odometer?

The main purpose of an "odometer" is to measure and display the total distance a vehicle has traveled. This helps track mileage for maintenance, resale value, and other purposes.

What can I say instead of "odometer"?

Alternatives to "odometer" include "mileage counter" or "distance recorder", depending on the context.

Why is "odometer" reading important when buying a used car?

The "odometer" reading is crucial because it gives you an insight into how much the car has been used and may indicate its overall condition and potential maintenance needs. A lower "odometer" reading generally suggests less wear and tear.