conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər 

: one that conducts: such as

a

: guide

b

: a collector of fares in a public conveyance

a railroad conductor

c

: the leader of a musical ensemble

an orchestra conductor

d(1)

: a material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily

Copper wire is a good conductor.

compare insulator, semiconductor

(2)

: a material capable of transmitting another form of energy (such as heat or sound)

Aluminum is a conductor of heat.

conductorial

ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

kən-

adjective

Examples of conductor in a Sentence

Metal is a good conductor of electricity.

Recent Examples on the Web

The minister told the conductor his ticket class entitled him to access. —Literary Hub, 11 May 2026

The season opens and closes with one of the orchestra’s five artistic partners, conductor Gábor Takács Nagy, whose programs celebrate folk traditions from both Hungary and the United States. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026

The conductor in particular said this is a big moment for the arts in Baltimore, and could mean a new -- more artistic chapter -- for the city and region. —Dennis Valera, CBS News, 7 May 2026

Upon further investigation, the conductor reported to NYC Transit’s Rail Control Center that the model-R211 train car’s onboard surveillance camera monitor in the rear control cab had been unbolted and removed from the train car. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French conducteur "director, guide," borrowed from Medieval Latin conductor "employer, lessee, escort, guide," going back to Latin, "employer, contractor, lessee," from condūcere "to bring together, join, hire, accept a contract for" (Medieval Latin also "to lead, escort, provide a channel for [water]") + -tor, agent suffix — more at conduce

Note: Parallel to the Latinate form was Middle French conduiteur, Old French conduitour (from conduire "to guide, escort," going back to Latin condūcere), which was loaned into Middle English as conduytour. Compare conduit.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing conductor

• lightning conductor

Rhymes for conductor

• abductor
• adductor
• constructor
• destructor
• inductor
• instructor
• mukhtar
• semiconductor
• superconductor

Kids Definition

conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər 

1

: a person who collects fares in a public means of transportation (as a bus or railroad train)

2

: the leader of a musical group

3

: a substance or body that can allow electricity, heat, or sound to pass through it

Medical Definition

conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər 

1

a

: a material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily

b

: a material capable of transmitting another form of energy (as heat or sound)

2

: a bodily part (as a nerve fiber) that transmits excitation