resistivity

noun

re·​sis·​tiv·​i·​ty ri-ˌzi-ˈsti-və-tē How to pronounce resistivity (audio)
ˌrē-
plural resistivities
1
: the longitudinal electrical resistance of a uniform rod of unit length and unit cross-sectional area : the reciprocal of conductivity
2
: capacity for resisting : resistance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Electrical resistivity tomography drone imagery, at the bottom, and a map of the site of a possible mass grave at the Jungfernhof concentration camp. Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2023 After finding the resistivity, the team calculated the grounding resistance for a single-rod scenario (as a means of validation). IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2022 The Hellenic Cables team used FEM to analyze soil resistivity for two sites: one in northern Germany and one in southern Greece. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2022 However, new archaeological techniques, such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), have provided intriguing clues. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2020 As each cylinder of rock comes up from the deep, onboard specialists rush to record its density, resistivity, temperature and any other data that might change before the cores are examined at a main lab in Bremen, Germany. Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2017 Devices using electric resistivity and ground-penetrating radar were used to take a closer look at the site without disturbing the graves. CBS News, 4 Apr. 2022 Onboard was an instrument sensitive to electromagnetic fields, allowing a measure of the resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of the area under the helicopter. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2022 In this equation, ρ is the resistivity of the metal (for copper -8-8this would be 1.68 x 10-8 Ω meters), and A is the cross-sectional area of the wire, using the diameter. Rhett Allain, Wired, 31 Dec. 2021 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resistivity was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near resistivity

Cite this Entry

“Resistivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resistivity. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

resistivity

noun
re·​sis·​tiv·​i·​ty ri-ˌzis-ˈtiv-ət-ē, ˌrē- How to pronounce resistivity (audio)
plural resistivities
: the longitudinal electrical resistance of a uniform rod of unit length and unit cross-sectional area : the reciprocal of conductivity

More from Merriam-Webster on resistivity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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