impedance

noun

im·​ped·​ance im-ˈpē-dᵊn(t)s 

: something that impedes : hindrance: such as

a

: the apparent opposition in an electrical circuit to the flow of an alternating current that is analogous to the actual electrical resistance to a direct current and that is the ratio of effective electromotive force to the effective current

b

: the ratio of the pressure to the volume displacement at a given surface in a sound-transmitting medium

Examples of impedance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its frequency range is stated as an impressive 13 Hz to 35 kHz, and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, dipping to 3 ohms. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 10 July 2024

Bioelectrical impedance analysis, which uses electric signals to tell fat from muscle in the body, is becoming more common in medical offices. —Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024

The standard model features support for Wear OS 4 and a bioelectrical impedance sensor for tracking body fat and body mass index. —Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 8 June 2024

An option that’s taken off in gyms and workout studios, such as Anytime Fitness and Orangetheory Fitness is bioelectric impedance analysis, using devices such as the InBody or the Evolt 360. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 3 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

impedance

noun

im·​ped·​ance im-ˈpēd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the apparent opposition in an electrical circuit to the flow of an alternating current that is analogous to the actual electrical resistance to a direct current and that is the ratio of effective electromotive force to the effective current

2

: the ratio of the pressure to the volume displacement at a given surface in a sound-transmitting medium

3

: opposition to blood flow in the circulatory system