current

¹cur·rent

adjective \ˈkər-ənt, ˈkə-rənt\

Definition of CURRENT

1

a archaic : running, flowing

b (1) : presently elapsing <the current year> (2) : occurring in or existing at the present time <the current crisis> (3) : most recent <the magazine's current issue>

2

: used as a medium of exchange

3

: generally accepted, used, practiced, or prevalent at the moment <current fashions>

— cur·rent·ly adverb

— cur·rent·ness noun

Examples of CURRENT

1. The dictionary's current edition has 10,000 new words.
2. Who is your current employer?
3. We need to keep current with the latest information.

Origin of CURRENT

Middle English curraunt, from Anglo-French corant, present participle of cure, courre to run, from Latin currere — more at car

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CURRENT

Synonyms

conventional, customary, going, popular, prevailing, prevalent, standard, stock, usual

Antonyms

nonstandard, unconventional, unpopular, unusual

Related Words

average, common, everyday, normal, ordinary; regular, routine; epidemic, ubiquitous, universal, widespread; accustomed, wonted; fashionable, in, modish, stylish

Near Antonyms

abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, uncommon

Rhymes with CURRENT

currant

²current

noun

Definition of CURRENT

1

a : the part of a fluid body (as air or water) moving continuously in a certain direction

b : the swiftest part of a stream

c : a tidal or nontidal movement of lake or ocean water

d : flow marked by force or strength

2

a : a tendency or course of events that is usually the result of an interplay of forces <currents of public opinion>

b : a prevailing mood : strain

3

: a flow of electric charge; also : the rate of such flow

Examples of CURRENT

1. Strong currents pulled the swimmer out to sea.
2. Air currents carried the balloon for miles.
3. The circuit supplies current to the saw.

First Known Use of CURRENT

14th century

Related to CURRENT

Synonyms

trend, direction, drift, leaning, run, tendency, tide, wind

Related Words

curve, downside, shift, swing, turn, turnabout, upside; custom, habit, propensity, tenor, way; countercurrent, countertrend; undercurrent, undertow

See Synonym Discussion at tendency

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

cur·rent

noun \ˈkər-ənt, ˈkə-rənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CURRENT

1

: the part of a fluid body (as air or water) moving continuously in a certain direction

2

: a flow of electric charge; also : the rate of such flow