Definition
A combined electrical test instrument that measures voltage (volts), resistance (ohms), and small amounts of current (milliamperes) in a single device, with a selector switch used to choose which quantity is being measured and the appropriate range.
Plain English
A handheld test meter that can check three different electrical things — voltage, resistance, and small currents — by turning a dial to pick which one you want to measure.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical troubleshooting, maintenance manuals, and shop procedures when checking batteries, wiring, switches, lights, or instrument circuits.
Derivation
The name is built from the three things it measures: volts (electrical pressure), ohms (resistance to current flow), and milliamperes (one-thousandth of an amp, for measuring small currents). The instrument was named directly after its three functions.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots rarely use one in flight, but mechanics rely on this tool to diagnose electrical faults — bad grounds, blown fuses, broken wires, weak batteries — that show up as squawks pilots write up after a flight.
Analogy
It is like having three basic electrical measuring tools in one handheld case.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the name means it only measures milliamps. A Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter measures volts, ohms, and small current.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic used a volt-ohm-milliammeter to check whether the landing light circuit had power.
Example Sentence 2
During avionics troubleshooting, the technician checked circuit continuity with the volt-ohm-milliammeter.