A thermocouple is also commonly referred to as a **temperature sensor** or **temperature probe**. While these terms may be used more broadly to describe devices that measure temperature, a thermocouple specifically refers to a sensor that works on the principle of the **thermoelectric effect**.
In technical contexts, it might also be called by more specific names based on its application or type, such as:
- **Thermocouple sensor**: Emphasizing its function as a sensor for temperature measurement.
- **Thermoelectric sensor**: Referring to the fact that it works by generating an electrical voltage (electromotive force) when there is a temperature difference between two different metals.
Different types of thermocouples (like Type K, Type J, Type T, etc.) may also be referred to by their specific type, which can be important in certain fields like industrial temperature measurement. These variations are typically named after the metals or materials that make up the thermocouple junction.