capacitance

noun ca·pac·i·tance \ kə-ˈpa-sə-tən(t)s \

Definition of capacitance

1 a : the property of an electric nonconductor that permits the storage of energy as a result of the separation of charge that occurs when opposite surfaces of the nonconductor are maintained at a difference of potential

b : the measure of this property that is equal to the ratio of the charge on either surface to the potential difference between the surfaces

2 : a part of a circuit or network that possesses capacitance

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capacitive

play \-ˈpa-sə-tiv\ adjective

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capacitively

adverb

Recent Examples of capacitance from the Web

Meanwhile, a capacitance sensor measures the electrical charge in the leaf.

— nathan hurst, Smithsonian, "This Snap-On Sensor Could Tell Farmers Exactly How Much To Water Their Crops," 27 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capacitance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of capacitance

capacity

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1893

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

capacitance

noun ca·pac·i·tance \ kə-ˈpas-ət-ən(t)s \

medical Definition of capacitance

1 a : the property of an electric nonconductor that permits the storage of energy as a result of the separation of charge occurring when opposite surfaces of the nonconductor are maintained at a difference of potential

b : the measure of this property equal to the ratio of the charge on either surface to the potential difference between the surfaces

2 : a part of a circuit or network that possesses capacitance