voltage

noun

volt·​age ˈvōl-tij How to pronounce voltage (audio)
1
: electric potential or potential difference expressed in volts
2
: intensity of feeling

Examples of voltage in a Sentence

We measured the change in voltage across the circuit.
Recent Examples on the Web So the n-type develops a positive voltage potential toward the hot side, while the p-type develops a negative voltage potential in the same direction. Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023 The researchers built up a voltage difference of 400 V across the capacitor without any sign of breakdown, and performance remained steady across 100,000 cycles tested for this publication. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 16 Nov. 2023 The hydration serum was infused with electroporation– short, high voltage pulses allowing serums to penetrate the skin’s barrier– enhanced with LED blue light therapy for acne. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023 Speaking of torque, the S-Series adds more of it — the primary upgrade here is a new motor with 50 percent more voltage and 50 percent more torque. Sean Hollister, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2023 Induction stoves require higher voltage and proper electrical wiring. Yessenia Funes, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023 Long before any of these modern invasives, people went to great lengths in the 1930s to get rid of native alligator gar with a custom boat called the Electric Gar Destroyer that would zap the fish with high voltage. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 25 Oct. 2023 But there’s still a considerable amount of voltage flowing through the third rails of last year’s midterms. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 6 Oct. 2023 There are high voltage wiring systems, on-board chargers that convert alternating current power to direct current to charge the batteries. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 6 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'voltage.' 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

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voltage was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near voltage

Cite this Entry

“Voltage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voltage. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

voltage

noun
volt·​age ˈvōl-tij How to pronounce voltage (audio)
: potential difference measured in volts

Medical Definition

voltage

noun
volt·​age ˈvōl-tij How to pronounce voltage (audio)
: electrical potential or potential difference expressed in volts

More from Merriam-Webster on voltage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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