attenuator

noun

at·​ten·​u·​a·​tor ə-ˈten-yə-ˌwā-tər 

-yü-ˌā-

: a device for attenuating

especially : one for reducing the amplitude of an electrical signal without appreciable distortion

Examples of attenuator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crash attenuator vehicles and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025

Also dismissed for illegally modifying the rear attenuator was Team Penske IndyCar President Tim Cindric and the team’s IndyCar Managing Director Ron Ruzewski. —Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

IndyCar vehicles are equipped with an attenuator on the rear of the car, designed to crush in accidents and save the driver from severe injury by having that part of the car absorb more of the impact. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 22 May 2025

The seemingly minor rules infraction at Team Penske was modifications to the rear attenuator by applying a different color of Loctite to the seam. —Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for attenuator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator
• coordinator