capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpa-sə-tər 

: a device that is used to store electrical energy

Examples of capacitor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers integrated the memristor into a simple resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit to replicate the different phases of a neuron’s electrical activity. —New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025

The electronics industry heavily relies on tantalum capacitors for their high capacitance-to-volume ratio in devices like smartphones and computers. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

That is Eaton, which makes electrical equipment used in data centers and other products across the grid, such as power capacitors mounted on electricity poles. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025

Due to the limited space available, the ESS consists of super-capacitors instead of a battery. —Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpas-ət-ər 

: a device for storing electric charge

called also condenser

Medical Definition

capacitor

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​tor kə-ˈpas-ət-ər 

: a device giving capacitance and usually consisting of conducting plates or foils separated by thin layers of dielectric (as air or mica) with the plates on opposite sides of the dielectric layers oppositely charged by a source of voltage and the electrical energy of the charged system stored in the polarized dielectric