Definition of CAPACITOR

capacitor

Meanings

Plural: capacitors

Noun

  • an electrical device characterized by its capacity to store an electric charge
  • An electronic component capable of storing electrical energy in an electric field; especially one consisting of two conductors separated by a dielectric.

Origin / Etymology

From capacity + -or.
Capacitor replaced the term condenser (coined by Alessandro Volta in 1782) to disambiguate it from steam condenser. The coiner is unknown but the change was recommended in 1926 by British Standard Glossary of Terms in Electrical Engineering.

Synonyms

capacitance, condenser, electrical condenser

Scrabble Score: 15

capacitor is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
capacitor is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
capacitor is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

capacitor is a valid Words With Friends word