conduction

noun

con·​duc·​tion kən-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce conduction (audio)
1
: the act of conducting or conveying
2
a
: transmission through or by means of a conductor
also : the transfer of heat through matter by communication of kinetic energy from particle to particle with no net displacement of the particles compare convection, radiation
3
: the transmission of excitation through living tissue and especially nervous tissue

Examples of conduction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Screenshots from the June 1 TikTok video of 13-year-old Rhino trying on bone conduction headphones to listen to his owner's voice. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025 The cast aluminum construction offers superior heat conduction and the two-wheeled design coupled with a light, 60-pound body makes portability easy. Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025 Open-ear bone conduction headphones are the perfect solution. Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 It’s already known that sodium channels play a critical role in the generation and conduction of nerve impulses that carry pain signals along a neuron’s membrane. New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conduction

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin conductiōn-, conductiō "gathering, muster, leadership, command, hire," going back to Latin, "taking of a lease, bringing together the premises of an argument," from condūcere "to bring together, join, hire, accept a contract for" (Medieval Latin also "to lead, escort, provide a channel for [water]") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at conduce

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conduction was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conduction. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

conduction

noun
con·​duc·​tion kən-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce conduction (audio)
1
: the act of conducting or conveying
2
a
: passage through a conductor
3
: the passage of a reaction to a stimulus through living and especially nerve tissue

Medical Definition

conduction

noun
con·​duc·​tion kən-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce conduction (audio)
1
a
: transmission through or by means of a conductor
also : the transfer of heat through matter by communication of kinetic energy from particle to particle with no net displacement of the particles
2
: the transmission of excitation through living tissue and especially nervous tissue
conduction of impulses to the brain

More from Merriam-Webster on conduction

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