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

Homes, power grids and data centers generally need alternating current. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

The ban on power inverters, which are used to convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity and are used in renewable energy systems, data centers and household appliances, could have sweeping ramifications. — Chan Ho-Him, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Electronics such as cellphones and computers require stable, nonfluctuating DC power, and commonly convert the alternating current (AC) from household wall sockets via a charging device or internal hardware. — Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The inverters, which convert direct current to alternating current electricity, are mainly manufactured outside the US, with only 7% of shipments coming from domestic suppliers, the White House’s report found. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alternating current

• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• undercurrent

Kids Definition

alternating current

noun

: an electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals

—abbreviation AC