dielectric

[ dahy-i-lek-trik ]

noun

1. a nonconducting substance; insulator.
2. a substance in which an electric field can be maintained with a minimum loss of power.

adjective

1. of or relating to a dielectric substance.

dielectric

/ ˌdaɪɪˈlɛktrɪk /

noun

1. a substance or medium that can sustain a static electric field within it
2. a substance or body of very low electrical conductivity; insulator

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or having the properties of a dielectric

dielectric

/ dī′ĭ-lĕk′trĭk /

Adjective

1. Having little or no ability to conduct electricity, generally as a result of having no electrons that are free to move.

Noun

1. A dielectric substance, especially one used in a capacitor to maintain an electric field between the plates.

dielectric

1. A material that conducts ( see conduction ) electricity poorly or not at all. If a voltage is applied to a dielectric, the atoms in the material arrange themselves in such a way as to oppose the flow of electric current (see also current ). Glass, wood, and plastic are common dielectrics. ( See insulator .)

Derived Forms

• ˌdieˈlectrically, adverb

Other Words From

• die·lectri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dielectric¹

First recorded in 1830–40; di- ³ + electric

Word History and Origins

Origin of dielectric¹

from dia- + electric

Example Sentences

The ambient electric field has to be great enough to overwhelm the “dielectric breakdown strength” of air.

From Washington Post

In our experiment, we used the dielectric resonator to generate a control field over an area that could contain up to four million qubits.

From Singularity Hub 

In our work we show that a component known as a dielectric resonator could finally allow this.

From Singularity Hub 

From Walden's work it appears that the dielectric constant finally determines the quantitative ionizing effect of a solvent.

From Project Gutenberg

What was really important was the sort of condensers made possible by a genuinely good dielectric material.

From Project Gutenberg

Numerically the specific inductive capacity of a dielectric is equal to the dielectric constant already mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg

The coefficient K is called the dielectric constant of the medium, and its value is taken as unity for air.

From Project Gutenberg

Take as example the chapter in which he explains electrostatic attractions by pressures and tensions in the dielectric medium.

From Project Gutenberg