Pedometer

Pedometer, an instrument for measuring walking distances. It has a dial which records revolutions of the mechanism; and the mechanism is generally actuated by the relative movement of a comparatively heavy suspended mass attendant on each step, though in some forms it is driven by a cord connected with the foot. In all cases the thing measured is the number of steps rather than the distance walked; and the user must find the true meaning of the readings of the apparatus as applied to his own walking.—An instrument attached to the wheel of a carriage so as to mark the number of revolutions of the wheel and so the distance traversed is called hodometer or odometer (Gr. hodos, 'way,' and metron, 'measure'). This is usually a train of wheelwork attached to the axle of the carriage, and communicating motion to an index on a dial. A similar instrument, called a cyclometer, is attached to bicycles and tricycles. The name odometer is also given to a wheel used by surveyors, which records the distances in miles or rods.