transformer

[ trans-fawr-mer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that causes or undergoes a change in appearance, structure, character, etc.
2. Electricity. an electric device consisting essentially of two or more windings wound on the same core, which by electromagnetic induction transforms electric energy from one set of one or more circuits to another set of one or more circuits such that the frequency of the energy remains unchanged while the voltage and current usually change.
3. Also transformer model. Computers. a type of neural network that uses statistical relationships between sequential data, such as words and sentences, to learn context and produce output.

transformer

/ trænsˈfɔːmə /

noun

1. a device that transfers an alternating current from one circuit to one or more other circuits, usually with an increase ( step-up transformer ) or decrease ( step-down transformer ) of voltage. The input current is fed to a primary winding, the output being taken from a secondary winding or windings inductively linked to the primary
2. a person or thing that transforms

transformer

/ trăns-fôr′mər /

1. A device used to change the voltage of an alternating current in one circuit to a different voltage in a second circuit, or to partially isolate two circuits from each other. Transformers consist of two or more coils of conducting material, such as wire, wrapped around a core (often made of iron). The magnetic field produced by an alternating current in one coil induces a similar current in the other coils.
2. ◆ If there are fewer turns on the coil that carries the source of the power than there are on a second coil, the second coil will provide the same power but at a higher voltage. This is called a step-up transformer.
3. ◆ If there are fewer turns on the second coil than on the source coil, the outgoing power will have a lower voltage. This is called a step-down transformer.
4. Compare converter

transformer

1. A device used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another. With an alternating current , a transformer will either raise or lower the voltage as it makes the transfer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of transformer¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; transform + -er ¹

Example Sentences

"If you change the environment even a tiny bit, the protein is like a transformer that suddenly flips from a car into a robot."

From Science Daily

“It feels like we’re in a tornado, without the whistling sound. The winds are really, really whipping. We’ve already seen a few transformers blow in our neighbourhood just by looking out the back porch.”

From BBC

They had several commercial uses, including in transformers and capacitors, oil used in motors and hydraulic systems, cable insulation, oil-based paint, caulking and plastics.

From Los Angeles Times

Now he’s an electrician, making union wages, installing and maintaining solar panels, switch gear, transformers, and electric car chargers.

From Los Angeles Times

The utility said two were due to birds hitting power lines, one was caused by a truck explosion and another because a power transformer went bad.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appliance
• diesel
• generator
• instrument
• motor
• power plant
• tool
• turbine
• weapon