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voltage

noun
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volt·​age | \ ˈvōl-tij How to pronounce voltage (audio) \

Definition of voltage

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 Because the phones are designed to shut down when the battery can't supply enough voltage to support the phone's processing needs, this triggered a higher than usual amount of shut downs as the batteries aged, according to the complaint. — Victoria Albert, CBS News, "Apple reaches $113 million settlement over claims it slowed down older iPhones," 19 Nov. 2020 The report allocates the funding toward renewable resources, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, grid monetization, energy storage, high voltage transmission and building electrification. — Steven Lerner, Washington Examiner, "As Pennsylvania shale industry takes center stage in presidential campaign, report suggests state should look at alternative energy sources," 28 Oct. 2020 The battery voltage will read out on the meter’s display screen. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Digital Multimeter," 21 Oct. 2020 Lane, like other public utilities in Oregon, buys its power from Bonneville Power Administration, which markets power from 31 hydroelectric dams and a nuclear plant in the region and operates three quarters of its high voltage transmission system. — oregonlive, "Explosion, sparks from power line preceded Oregon’s Holiday Farm fire, area residents say," 17 Sep. 2020 Bolt hatchbacks delivered globally, including almost 51,000 sold in the U.S., with high-voltage batteries made by LG Chem Ltd. — Chester Dawson, Bloomberg.com, "GM Latest Automaker to Recall EV for Battery-Fire Risk," 13 Nov. 2020 There is a risk that these high-voltage batteries, located under the rear passenger seats, could catch fire. — Laura Sky Brown, Car and Driver, "50,000 Chevy Bolt EVs Recalled; Owners Told Not to Drive Them," 13 Nov. 2020 Bolt hatchbacks delivered globally, including almost 51,000 sold in the U.S., with high-voltage batteries made by LG Chem that may catch fire when charged above 90%. — Chester Dawson, Fortune, "GM recalls Chevy Bolt electric cars for battery-fire risk," 13 Nov. 2020 Setting up a generator at the substation can keep those homes and businesses energized if PG&E turns off the higher-voltage line. — J.d. Morris, SFChronicle.com, "PG&E braces for a hard fire season — and blackouts — amid coronavirus," 13 June 2020

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

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First Known Use of voltage

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for voltage

Time Traveler

The first known use of voltage was in 1890

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Statistics for voltage

Last Updated

30 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Voltage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voltage. Accessed 30 Nov. 2020.

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More Definitions for voltage

voltage

noun
How to pronounce voltage (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of voltage

: the force of an electrical current that is measured in volts

See the full definition for voltage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

voltage

noun
volt·​age | \ ˈvōl-tij How to pronounce voltage (audio) \

Kids Definition of voltage

: electric force measured in volts the voltage of a current

voltage

noun
volt·​age | \ ˈvōl-tij How to pronounce voltage (audio) \

Medical Definition of voltage

: electrical potential or potential difference expressed in volts

More from Merriam-Webster on voltage

Nglish: Translation of voltage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about voltage

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