capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpa-sə-tər 

: a device that is used to store electrical energy

Examples of capacitor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While commercial applications are still years away, the implications of a non-toxic, un-burnable capacitor are massive. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026

Replacing a central air conditioning system can cost several thousand dollars, while many common repairs — such as replacing capacitors, contactors, thermostats or electrical components — may cost only a fraction of that amount. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Two amplifiers, each consisting of two massive 30-centimeter glass disks, are pumped by a huge bank of flash lamps powered by capacitor banks – essentially giant batteries that store electrical energy and release it in a sudden burst. —Ahmed Helal, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026

Chips have always required some sort of integration of transistors and capacitors, which control and store energy. —Lauren Goode, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpas-ət-ər 

: a device for storing electric charge

called also condenser

Medical Definition

capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpas-ət-ər 

: 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