capacitance
noun
ca·pac·i·tance
kə-ˈpa-sə-tən(t)s 
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
capacitively
adverb
Examples of capacitance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Today’s standard cells can have no more than four inputs, because a greater number would add too much capacitance, which saps speed.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2023
The buffers meant delays in the computers’ operations, since several boards shared a backplane, and the huge capacitance required for multiple PC boards slowed the backplane.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2023
But for its true micron size, the new device shows an exceptionally high capacitance, says Misra.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023
The figure below shows his projections for DRAM development including changes in the cell transistor structure, cell capacitance and eventually 3D DRAM stacking.
—Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021
But at high frequencies, the capacitance between the coil and washer saps a signal’s power instead of amplifying it.
—Rachel Courtland, IEEE Spectrum, 1 May 2014
And this is particularly a problem at high frequencies, which are more susceptible, particularly to the capacitance side of things.
—Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Apr. 2023
These new interconnects will also need better insulation, lest signal-sapping capacitance take away all their advantage.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023
The team sandwiched a layer of perovskite—a material prized for its electrical and optical properties—between two electrodes to create a capacitor whose ability to store energy, or capacitance, changed in proportion to the intensity of the light to which it is exposed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023
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IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2023
The buffers meant delays in the computers’ operations, since several boards shared a backplane, and the huge capacitance required for multiple PC boards slowed the backplane.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2023
But for its true micron size, the new device shows an exceptionally high capacitance, says Misra.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023
The figure below shows his projections for DRAM development including changes in the cell transistor structure, cell capacitance and eventually 3D DRAM stacking.
—Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021
But at high frequencies, the capacitance between the coil and washer saps a signal’s power instead of amplifying it.
—Rachel Courtland, IEEE Spectrum, 1 May 2014
And this is particularly a problem at high frequencies, which are more susceptible, particularly to the capacitance side of things.
—Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Apr. 2023
These new interconnects will also need better insulation, lest signal-sapping capacitance take away all their advantage.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023
The team sandwiched a layer of perovskite—a material prized for its electrical and optical properties—between two electrodes to create a capacitor whose ability to store energy, or capacitance, changed in proportion to the intensity of the light to which it is exposed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'capacitance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
capacity
First Known Use
1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near capacitance
Cite this Entry
“Capacitance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capacitance. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
capacitance
noun
ca·pac·i·tance
kə-ˈpas-ət-ən(t)s
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
More from Merriam-Webster on capacitance
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about capacitance
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