conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈti-və-tē 

kən-

plural conductivities

: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: such as

a

: the reciprocal of electrical resistivity

b

: the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli

Examples of conductivity in a Sentence

measuring the conductivity of different metals

Recent Examples on the Web

Other instruments will collect and study samples of moon dust (or regolith), measure the radiation environment on the lunar surface, and even study the electrical conductivity of the interior of the moon. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 7 Jan. 2025

To get around this issue, the new research measured the conductivity of the rock, which can change by as much as three orders of magnitude when transitioning from a solid to a molten phase. —Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025

The carbon atoms, meanwhile, organize themselves into graphene, which wraps neatly around the wires to improve their electrical conductivity, protecting them from moisture or further oxidation. —New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2024

Due to the high thermal conductivity, graphene batteries will heat up less while providing improved performance, which should significantly extend their service life. —Nadezhda Kosareva, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

conductive + -ity

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

kən-

plural conductivities

: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting

Medical Definition

conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē, kən- 

plural conductivities

: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: as

a

: the reciprocal of electrical resistivity

b

: the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli