conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce conductivity (audio)
kən-
plural conductivities
: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: such as
a
: the reciprocal of electrical resistivity
b
: the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli

Examples of conductivity in a Sentence

measuring the conductivity of different metals
Recent Examples on the Web The blue represents nonconductive igneous rock, while the yellow, orange, and red circles indicate areas of conductivity, from least to most conductive. Josh Goldman, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2023 The most common solution to this water problem is to wear a wetsuit, which is usually made of a material like neoprene with a very low thermal conductivity. WIRED, 25 Nov. 2022 Leather was shown to be almost two times thicker than laminated cork, but the thermal resistance and thermal conductivity between the two materials were practically the same. Gabriella Sotelo, Treehugger, 24 Aug. 2023 Due mainly to its relative abundance and high degree of conductivity, copper has been a preferred metal in electricity applications since the days of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. David Blackmon, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 Made of several layers of materials and fabric, they are designed to provide thermal resistance (known as R-value) and prevent thermal transmittance conductivity (known as U-value). Heidi Wachter, Treehugger, 14 July 2023 But data, software, silicon, and conductivity are really going to be the biggest changes. Time, 18 June 2023 The conductivity between the positive and negative terminal, prescribed by the number of ions in the channel, is what determines the analog value stored in the device. IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2022 The team’s array of seafloor electrodes, sensitive to the conductivity of water, captured a subducting seamount that appeared to have a conductive interior covered by a thin resistive crust. Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 21 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conductivity.' 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

conductive + -ity

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conductivity was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near conductivity

Cite this Entry

“Conductivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conductivity. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

conductivity

noun
con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce conductivity (audio)
kən-
plural conductivities
: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting

Medical Definition

conductivity

noun
con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē, kən- How to pronounce conductivity (audio)
plural conductivities
: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: as
a
: the reciprocal of electrical resistivity
b
: the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli

More from Merriam-Webster on conductivity

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