Definition
A display that presents measured information as numerals (digits) rather than as the position of a needle or pointer on a scale.
Plain English
A screen or window that shows a value as actual numbers, instead of a needle pointing at a marked dial.
Context Anchor
Seen on modern cockpit instruments, radios, navigation equipment, engine monitors, and some portable flight devices.
Derivation
From 'digit,' meaning a single number (originally from Latin digitus, finger — fingers being how people first counted), and 'readout,' meaning information displayed for reading. A digital readout literally means the value is read as numbers.
Why Pilots Care
Gives precise values at a glance and reduces errors from parallax or misreading a scale.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “digital” automatically means “more correct.” A digital readout only shows what the instrument or system is sensing or calculating; if the input is wrong, the displayed number can still be wrong.
Example Sentence 1
The transponder's digital readout showed 1200, confirming the squawk code was set correctly.
Example Sentence 2
During the engine start checklist the digital readout showed oil pressure rising into the green range.