voltage
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of voltage
Explanation
Voltage is a measure of electrical energy. If you've got a high-voltage personality, people may use another electrical metaphor and describe you as "a live wire." Someone calculates voltage by determining the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit. When you travel, you'll want to make sure you bring along adapters to plug into the various sorts of electrical outlets you'll encounter around the world. Your chargers and all your electrical gear should have dual voltage capability, so they can work on electrical currents of 100 volts to 240 volts.
Vocabulary lists containing voltage
Engineering - Introductory
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Electricity and Magnetism - Introductory
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Physical Science - Energy - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Solid-state transformers are much lighter than the current version and can manipulate voltage in more sophisticated ways—almost like switching an analog system to digital.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
The team also discovered that temperature plays a key role in determining both the strength and direction of the electrical voltage produced by the material.
From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026
Empower’s silicon capacitor technology is in production, while its integrated voltage regulator programs are advancing in collaboration with AI hyperscalers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
China’s grid, the world’s largest, produces 40% more power than the U.S. and the European Union combined, utilizing 1,000 kV ultra-high voltage lines.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
So Tom K. said, “What’s the maximum voltage before a battery implodes?” and Mikayla Menzer said, “How will plants grow if raised in different light conditions?”
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
