conductor

noun con·duc·tor \ kən-ˈdək-tər \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of conductor

: 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

play \ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtȯr-ē-əl, kən-\ adjective

See conductor defined for English-language learners

See conductor defined for kids

Examples of conductor in a Sentence

Metal is a good conductor of electricity.

Recent Examples of conductor from the Web

John LoPiccolo, conductor and music director, said the concert was move from its normal Sunday afternoon time to see if the nighttime show would help attendance.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Poway Symphony Orchestra to perform season's final concert on Saturday," 17 May 2018
Andrew Hacker Hacker, a 2003 graduate, is a highly sought after adjudicator, clinician, conductor and performer.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Menomonee Falls High School to induct three into Hall of Fame," 11 May 2018
For over half a century, a stately Belle Époque villa in the German spa town of Baden-Baden served as a redoubt for French conductor and composer Pierre Boulez.

— j.s. marcus, WSJ, "Villa With a Musical Legacy: Pierre Boulez’s Home in Baden-Baden," 9 May 2018
Damoulakis also emphasized the importance of founder, conductor and artistic director, Michael Tilson Thomas and his impact on the contemporary classical music scene.

— sean erwin, miamiherald, "New World Symphony: Classical music and a genius for community building | Miami Herald," 25 Apr. 2018
Sleek modern staging Staufenbiel wisely puts the music front and center, with conductor Joseph Rescigno (of the Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee) and the orchestra onstage.

— kerry lengel, azcentral, "‘Das Rheingold’ review: Arizona Opera gives Wagner an epic update," 7 Apr. 2018
The intentional slowing of trains is traced back to a 1995 J train crash that killed the a conductor and injured dozens more.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "The Overlooked Reason New York’s Subway Trains Are So Painfully Slow," 16 Mar. 2018
The iconic Dutch violinist, conductor and founder of the Johann Strauss Orchestra has sold a massive 40 million CDs and DVDs and notched 30 number 1 chart positions.

— Detroit Free Press, "Win Tickets to See André Rieu," 14 Mar. 2018
The program will be led by guest conductor and Cincinnati native Brent Havens.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "'Hamilton' star Odom, Amy Grant, Indigo Girls headline Cincinnati Pops' 2018-19 season," 2 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conductor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of conductor

see ²conduct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

CONDUCTOR Defined for English Language Learners

conductor

noun

Definition of conductor for English Language Learners

: a person who stands in front of people while they sing or play musical instruments and directs their performance
: a person who collects money or tickets from passengers on a train or bus
: a material or object that allows electricity or heat to move through it