-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
alternating current
noun
: an electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals
—abbreviation AC
Examples of alternating current in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Power plant transformers operate on alternating current, but during solar storms may receive surges of direct current.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 May 2024
To have any hope of reaching a carbon-free electricity grid, tens of thousands of miles of new transmission lines must be added by 2030 to add the existing 640,000 circuit miles of alternating current (AC) transmission lines (240,000 operating at more than 230 kilovolts).
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2023
Here in the United States, a high percentage of public chargers are poky Level 2 units that deliver alternating current at 240 volts.
—Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
Old Alliances, Old Technology Transmission networks in the United States, which move alternating current, were built over the last century largely by for-profit utility companies, and to a lesser extent by nonprofit utilities operated by governments and local communities.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2024
The lamps that laced every building and walkway produced the most elaborate demonstration of electric illumination ever attempted and the first large-scale test of alternating current.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 2 May 2023
The dizzying alternating current that defines a career in show business settled in to become the simple ebb and flow of our lives.
—Tony Goldwyn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2023
There are high voltage wiring systems, on-board chargers that convert alternating current power to direct current to charge the batteries.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 6 Oct. 2023
After delivering direct currents, the researchers tested the dolphins’ ability to perceive alternating current (AC) electric fields.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alternating current.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1833, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of alternating current was
in 1833
Dictionary Entries Near alternating current
Cite this Entry
“Alternating current.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternating%20current. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
alternating current
noun
: an electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals
—abbreviation AC
More from Merriam-Webster on alternating current
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share