superconductivity
noun
su·per·con·duc·tiv·i·ty
ˌsü-pər-ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈti-və-tē 
-kən-
: a complete disappearance of electrical resistance in a substance especially at very low temperatures
Examples of superconductivity in a Sentence
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Physicists soon realized that high-temperature superconductivity was only the beginning of the mysterious behavior of the cuprates.
—
Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Despite these high-profile setbacks, superconductivity researchers say the field is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance (see ‘Timeline: Superconductivity milestones’).
—Davide Castelvecchi, Scientific American, 17 Nov. 2023
In September 2022, Nature itself had retracted a Dias paper claiming the discovery of room-temperature superconductivity published in 2020.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
Within a couple of weeks, the excitement died away after other scientists were unable to confirm the superconductivity observations and came up with plausible alternative explanations.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
This case is merely a pothole in the quest for room-temperature, commercially practical superconductivity, which will continue.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
In August of this year, the journal Physical Review Letters retracted a 2021 paper by Dr. Dias that described intriguing electrical properties, although not superconductivity, in another chemical compound, manganese sulfide.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
The extremely low temperatures and high pressures needed to induce superconductivity limited its practical value for decades.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Sep. 2023
For instance, sound waves rippling through metallic lattices link electrons in a way that leads to superconductivity, and in 1981, a group of physicists suggested that demon vibrations could conjure superconductivity in a similar way.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2023
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Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Despite these high-profile setbacks, superconductivity researchers say the field is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance (see ‘Timeline: Superconductivity milestones’).
—Davide Castelvecchi, Scientific American, 17 Nov. 2023
In September 2022, Nature itself had retracted a Dias paper claiming the discovery of room-temperature superconductivity published in 2020.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
Within a couple of weeks, the excitement died away after other scientists were unable to confirm the superconductivity observations and came up with plausible alternative explanations.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
This case is merely a pothole in the quest for room-temperature, commercially practical superconductivity, which will continue.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
In August of this year, the journal Physical Review Letters retracted a 2021 paper by Dr. Dias that described intriguing electrical properties, although not superconductivity, in another chemical compound, manganese sulfide.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
The extremely low temperatures and high pressures needed to induce superconductivity limited its practical value for decades.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Sep. 2023
For instance, sound waves rippling through metallic lattices link electrons in a way that leads to superconductivity, and in 1981, a group of physicists suggested that demon vibrations could conjure superconductivity in a similar way.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superconductivity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1913, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of superconductivity was
in 1913
Dictionary Entries Near superconductivity
Cite this Entry
“Superconductivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superconductivity. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on superconductivity
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about superconductivity
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