conductor

noun

con·duc·tor kən-ˈdək-tər

Synonyms of conductor next

: one that conducts: such as

: guide

: a collector of fares in a public conveyance

a railroad conductor

: 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 This, along with strong performances from the podium by Clark and, especially, guest conductor Marin Alsop, allowed these anthems to rise above their occasions. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 After a brief negotiation, conductor Vladimir Jurowski announced a truce: The young protestors would be allowed to make their case, everyone in the audience would listen, and the concert would continue. —

Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 8 Nov. 2023 Students from the Middle East come to Berlin to study music with the star conductor Daniel Barenboim. —

Javier C. Hernández, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023 The Hall effect, discovered by physicist Edwin Herbert Hall in 1879, describes a phenomenon in which applying a perpendicular magnetic field to a conductor creates a voltage that runs sideways across the material. —

IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2023 Among the properties that scored 100 percent for their service, three weave this skill into their hospitality with the grace of an orchestra conductor. —

Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2023 Soon, the conductor stopped by to check tickets and collect breakfast orders. —

Gina Rich, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023 But in most ways, the French conductor undercuts what feels like the current zeitgeist of tyrannical maestros. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023 He is set to perform at new venue Aviva Studios on Dec. 7 and 8 with a 30-piece orchestra led by conductor Fiona Brice. —

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2023 See More

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

See more words from the same century