polygraph
noun
poly·graph
| \ ˈpä-lē-ˌgraf
\
\
Definition of polygraph
: an instrument for recording variations of several different pulsations (as of physiological variables) simultaneously — compare lie detector
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Other Words from polygraph
polygraphic
\ ˌpä-lē-ˈgra-fik
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of polygraph in a Sentence
They hooked him up to the polygraph and began the test.
She was asked to take a polygraph.
Recent Examples on the Web
After failing a polygraph test, Watts confessed to killing Shanann, who was pregnant, in the early hours of Aug. 13. — Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, "Christopher Watts murder investigation: Recap of the case that drew international attention to a small Colorado town," 13 Aug. 2019 There are polygraphs for sleep diagnosis, ozone therapy sessions, a neurocognitive assessment, colon hydrotherapy, NADH treatment and pelvic floor physiotherapy for women, to name but a few elements of the inside-out makeover. — Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, "6 Hollywood-Loved Spas and Clinics Where Stars Seek Secrets to Living Longer," 8 Aug. 2019 An extensive application, involving a polygraph test that more than 40% of applicants fail, makes the hiring process extremely slow. — Justin Rohrlich, Quartz, "“Bodies and minds are breaking down”: Inside US border agency’s suicide crisis," 2 July 2019 Two out of three applicants fail its polygraph, according to Reardon, more than double the average failure rate for other federal law enforcement agencies. — Nick Miroff, Washington Post, "U.S. customs agency is so short-staffed, it’s sending officers from airports to the Mexican border," 19 Jan. 2018 The chief also testified O’Neill passed a polygraph test. — Bill Ruthhart, chicagotribune.com, "South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaking at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH annual convention," 2 July 2019 Moore said in a December 2017 affidavit after the polygraph test. — Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al.com, "Roy Moore ‘likely failed’ polygraph test, Corfman says," 1 July 2019 The polygraph was never rescheduled and the killing eventually went cold. — Harriet Sokmensuer, PEOPLE.com, "Widow, 84, Charged With Murder 35 Years After Husband's Death — and TV Show Helped Solve Case," 11 July 2019 Her polygraph was never rescheduled, according to the Herald-Press, and no other suspect took such a test. — Vandana Ravikumar, USA TODAY, "Texas woman, 84, arrested and charged with murder in husband's 35-year-old cold case," 10 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polygraph.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for polygraph
polygraph
noun
English Language Learners Definition of polygraph
US
: a test that is done with a lie detector to see if someone is telling the truth
See the full definition for polygraph in the English Language Learners Dictionary
polygraph
noun
poly·graph
| \ ˈpäl-i-ˌgraf
\
\
Medical Definition of polygraph
: an instrument for simultaneously recording variations of several different pulsations (as of the pulse, blood pressure, and respiration) — see lie detector
Other Words from polygraph
polygraphic
\ ˌpäl-i-ˈgraf-ik
\
adjective
\
adjective
polygraphically
\ -i-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
polygraph
noun
poly·graph
| \ ˈpä-lē-ˌgraf
\
\
Legal Definition of polygraph
: an instrument that records physiological pulsations
especially
: lie detector
Other Words from polygraph
polygraphic
\ ˌpä-lē-ˈgra-fik
\
adjective
\
adjective