volt

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈvōlt 

: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference of potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it

volt

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈvōlt  ˈvȯlt 

1

: a leaping movement in fencing to avoid a thrust

2

a

: a tread or gait in which a horse going sideways makes a turn around a center

b

: a circle traced by a horse in this movement

Examples of volt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These cabinets are designed to work with vehicle systems ranging from 400 to 1,000 volts. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026

Underneath the shell is an 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows the 48-volt lithium-ion battery to recoup roughly 200 miles in 10 minutes. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025

With its 800-volt architecture, the Cayenne Electric can charge at up to 400 kW at a public DC station, enough to fill its pack from 10 to 80 percent in about 16 minutes. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2025

Agents also were said to have found a receipt for hand sanitizer and pipe nipples in Cole’s car, as well as a shopping bag containing end caps and a 9-volt battery. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Alessandro Volta

Noun (2)

borrowed from French volte, borrowed from Italian volta "turn," noun derivative of voltare "to turn," going back to Vulgar Latin *volvitāre, frequentative of Latin volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1873, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing volt

• electron volt
• volt-ampere

Rhymes for volt

• bolt
• boult
• colt
• jolt
• molt
• moult
• poult
• smolt
• volte
• kilovolt
• landolt
• raoult

Kids Definition

volt

noun

ˈvōlt

: a unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference in potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power used between these two points is equal to one watt

Medical Definition

volt

noun

ˈvōlt 

1

: the practical mks unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference of potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it

2

: a unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to 1.00034 volts and formerly taken as the standard in the United States