conductor

[ kuhn-duhk-ter ]

noun

1. a person who conducts; a leader, guide, director, or manager.
2. an employee on a bus, train, or other public conveyance, who is in charge of the conveyance and its passengers, collects fares or tickets, etc.
3. a person who directs an orchestra or chorus, communicating a specific interpretation of the music to the performers by motions of a baton or the hands
4. a substance, body, or device that readily conducts heat, electricity, sound, etc.:

   Copper is a good conductor of electricity.

5. lightning rod.

conductor

/ kənˈdʌktə; kənˈdʌktrɪs /

noun

1. an official on a bus who collects fares, checks tickets, etc
2. Also called (esp US)director a person who conducts an orchestra, choir, etc
3. a person who leads or guides
4. a railway official in charge of a train
5. a substance, body, or system that conducts electricity, heat, etc
6. See lightning conductor

conductor

/ kən-dŭk′tər /

1. A material or an object that conducts heat, electricity, light, or sound. Electrical conductors contain electric charges (usually electrons) that are relatively free to move through the material; a voltage applied across the conductor therefore creates an electric current. Insulators (electrical nonconductors) contain no charges that move when subject to a voltage.
2. Compare insulatorSee also resistance

conductor

1. A material through which electric current (see also current ) can pass. In general, metals are good conductors. Copper or aluminum is normally used to conduct electricity in commercial and household systems. ( Compare insulator .)

Derived Forms

• conˈductorˌship, noun
• conductress, noun:feminine

Other Words From

• con·duc·to·ri·al [kon-duhk-, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective
• con·ductor·ship noun
• multi·con·ductor adjective
• precon·ductor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conductor¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin ( conduce, -tor ); replacing late Middle English cond(u)itour from Anglo-French, equivalent to Middle French conduiteur from Latin as above; conduit

Example Sentences

Enough with the score, expertly handled by music director and conductor Marc Macalintal and an orchestra that blends Eastern and Western instruments to hypnotic effect.

From Los Angeles Times

The controversial Russian-based Greek conductor has been banished from the majority of Western institutions.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith was the conductor at the centre of the maelstrom.

From BBC

Best of all, the company had a conductor of remarkable eloquence who understood movement in all its musical aspects.

From Los Angeles Times

He added that both the injured driver and conductor have received medical care and "are on the road to recovery."

From BBC

Related Words

• director
• maestro
• manager
• master
• supervisor