conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce conductor (audio)
: 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 adjective

Examples of conductor in a Sentence

Metal is a good conductor of electricity.
Recent Examples on the Web Remember, in the grand symphony of storytelling, dialogue is your chance to be the conductor. Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024 This is due not in small measure to the conductor Claudio Vandelli, who travels from city to city in the participating countries to audition prospective members, with an uncanny instinct for scouting young talent. Fredric Dannen, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2024 Just as a band leader or conductor brings together the talents of various musicians into a cohesive unit, orchestration strategies enable disparate supply chain resources to work together to minimize the costs and maximize the speed of supply chain operations. Dhl Supply Chain Contributor, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Gianandrea Noseda, a conductor of international regard, named Conductor of the Year in 2015 by Musical America, is the festival’s music director. Fredric Dannen, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conductor 

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of conductor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near conductor

Cite this Entry

“Conductor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conductor. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

conductor

noun
con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər How to pronounce conductor (audio)
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 How to pronounce conductor (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!