Definition
An electrical test instrument that measures voltage and displays the result as numerical digits on a screen rather than as the position of a needle on a scale.
Plain English
A meter that shows voltage as a number on a small screen, instead of using a moving needle to point at a value.
Context Anchor
Seen during aircraft maintenance, electrical troubleshooting, battery checks, and avionics installation or testing.
Derivation
Voltmeter combines volt (the unit of electrical pressure, named after Alessandro Volta) with meter (a measuring device). Digital comes from the Latin digitus meaning finger, used for counting, and refers to readings expressed as discrete numbers rather than as a position on a continuous scale.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the battery and charging system are delivering correct voltage so electrical equipment and instruments remain reliable.
Example Sentence 1
The technician used a digital voltmeter to check that the aircraft battery was holding 12.6 volts before the first flight of the day.
Example Sentence 2
Before engine start the pilot checked the bus voltage with the digital voltmeter to verify proper charging.