conductor

noun

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con·duc·tor | \ kən-ˈdək-tər

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.

Other Words from conductor Example Sentences Phrases Containing conductor Learn More About conductor

Examples of conductor in a Sentence

Metal is a good conductor of electricity.

Recent Examples on the Web For example, Valery Gergiev was fired as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 May 2022 The 2019-20 season was her first as a touring guest conductor. — Beth Woodwriter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2022 Brian Stokes Mitchell, Over the Rhine, and Tatiana Mayfield join the Pops for a celebration of John Morris Russell's 10th anniversary as Cincinnati Pops conductor. — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 25 Apr. 2022 As a conductor of both film scores and traditional orchestras across the country, Anthony Parnther has a fairly singular career. — Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2022 For 14 years, Yulia Ishchuk, 39, has worked as a conductor for Ukrainian Railways, the national transport system that in the exigencies of war assumed a role as an evacuation service and a lifeline for supplies. — New York Times, 18 Mar. 2022 The city of Munich removed Russia’s Valery Gergiev from his position as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic for declining to distance himself from Putin, a longtime friend. — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2022 He was replaced in a series of Vienna Philharmonic concerts at New York City's Carnegie Hall last week and fired as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic after also refusing to denounce Putin. — Alexandra Svokos, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2022 From 1976 to 1996, the NWI Symphony was conducted by Robert Vodnoy, of Valparaiso, who is now 72 and serves as conductor of the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra. — Philip Potempa, chicagotribune.com, 25 Feb. 2022 See More

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.

History and Etymology for conductor

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.