stro·bo·scope / ˈstrōbəˌskōp/ • n. Physics an instrument for studying periodic motion or determining speeds of rotation by shining a momentary bright light at intervals so that a moving object appears stationary. ∎  a lamp made to flash intermittently, esp. for this purpose.DERIVATIVES: stro·bo·scop·ic / ˌstrōbəˈskäpik/ adj.stro·bo·scop·i·cal·ly / ˌstrōbəˈskäpik(ə)lē/ adv.

stroboscope (strobe) Device that emits regular flashes of light. Stroboscopes usually have a calibrated scale from which the number of flashes per minute can be read. They are used in photography to make multiple exposures of moving subjects and in engineering to apparently ‘slow down’ or ‘stop’ moving objects for observation.