A thermocouple is a junction formed from two dissimilar metals.

Actually,
it is a pair of junctions. One at a reference temperature (like 0 oC) and
the other junction at the temperature to be measured. A temperature
difference will cause a voltage to be developed that is temperature
dependent. (That voltage is caused by something called the Seebeck
effect.) Thermocouples are widely used for temperature measurement
because they are inexpensive, rugged and reliable, and they can be used
over a wide temperature range. In particular, other temperature sensors
(like thermistors and LM35 sensors) are useful around room temperature,
but the thermocouple can
The Thermocouple
Why Use thermocouples To Measure Temperature?
o They are inexpensive.
o They are rugged and reliable.
o They can be used over a wide temperature range.
What Does A Thermocouple Look Like?
o Here it is. Note the two wires (of two different metals)
joined in the junction.