volt

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈvōlt 

: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference of potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it

volt

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈvōlt  ˈvȯlt 

1

: a leaping movement in fencing to avoid a thrust

2

a

: a tread or gait in which a horse going sideways makes a turn around a center

b

: a circle traced by a horse in this movement

Examples of volt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bill would have required the new license plates to go to electric or hybrid vehicles powered by more than 50 volts. —Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024

The vacuum’s 16 volts of power suck up dirt, dust, crumbs, pet hair, and more from carpets and hard floors. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024

But using the drinking bird method, scientists have managed to generate an output of 100 volts using just 100 millilitrers of water, enough to power small electronic devices. —Billy Stockwell, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024

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

Each battery brings 48 volts, 17.5 ampere-hours, and 840 watt-hours. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 Feb. 2024

The transistors also displayed a drive current—which also influences transistor switching speed—of about 2 milliamps per micron, given a supply voltage of 5 volts. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024

For example, the thin dielectric layer that separates the conductive membrane and the substrate must withstand about 100 volts at a thickness of 1 μm. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024

The charging time is 5 hours on a 240 volt charger and the total gas and electric driving range is 530 miles. —Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Alessandro Volta

Noun (2)

borrowed from French volte, borrowed from Italian volta "turn," noun derivative of voltare "to turn," going back to Vulgar Latin *volvitāre, frequentative of Latin volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1873, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing volt

• electron volt
• volt-ampere

Kids Definition

volt

noun

ˈvōlt

: a unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference in potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power used between these two points is equal to one watt

Medical Definition

volt

noun

ˈvōlt 

1

: the practical mks unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference of potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it

2

: a unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to 1.00034 volts and formerly taken as the standard in the United States