potentiometer UK /pəˌtɛn(t)ʃiˈɒmɪtə/US /pəˌtɛn(t)ʃiˈɑmɪtəɹ/ noun2 •A user-adjustable three-terminal variable resistor that can be used as a voltage divider. •An instrument that measures a voltage by opposing it with a precise fraction of a known voltage, and without drawing current from the unknown source. formspotentiometers