capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpa-sə-tər How to pronounce capacitor (audio)
: a device that is used to store electrical energy

Examples of capacitor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of Fuse’s ideas is to get a bunch of big capacitors to discharge at once, thus kick-starting a reaction. Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024 The new double cryogenic, polypropylene, tin flash, copper capacitors used in the QR SE Series are the result of constant listening, measuring and improvement to get the signature sound of the QR SE. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 The battery stores power, and ComEd uses it as a capacitor for the grid. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024 Essentially, the attack disables the decoupling capacitors, runs the glitch to bypass the security protections, and then enables the decoupling capacitors. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 10 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for capacitor 

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capacitor was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near capacitor

Cite this Entry

“Capacitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capacitor. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

capacitor

noun
ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpas-ət-ər How to pronounce capacitor (audio)
: a device for storing electric charge

called also condenser

Medical Definition

capacitor

noun
ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpas-ət-ər How to pronounce capacitor (audio)
: a device giving capacitance and usually consisting of conducting plates or foils separated by thin layers of dielectric (as air or mica) with the plates on opposite sides of the dielectric layers oppositely charged by a source of voltage and the electrical energy of the charged system stored in the polarized dielectric

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