direct current

noun

: an electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value
abbreviation DC

Examples of direct current in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Ford Motor — Shares were recently down about 1%, but the stock spiked in early trading after Ford Energy and EDF power solutions North America announced a five-year agreement to produce up to 4gigawatt hours of direct current Block Battery energy storage systems annually. Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 18 May 2026 The link is one of the most innovative high-voltage direct current (HVDC) projects in Europe. IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026 Electricity undergoes multiple conversions, moving from high-voltage direct current into high-frequency magnetic fields before being captured and stabilized on board. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026 Most new direct current transmission lines in the extra-high-voltage grid should be built above ground, according to a draft law from the economy ministry seen by Bloomberg. Petra Sorge, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for direct current

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of direct current was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Direct current.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direct%20current. Accessed 26 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

direct current

noun
: an electric current flowing in one direction only
abbreviation DC

Medical Definition

direct current

noun
: an electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value
abbreviation DC

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