varistor

[ va-ris-ter, vuh- ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. a resistor whose resistance automatically varies in proportion to the voltage of the current through it.

varistor

/ vəˈrɪstə /

noun

1. a two-electrode semiconductor device having a voltage-dependent nonlinear resistance Compare varactor

Word History and Origins

Origin of varistor¹

First recorded in 1940–45; var(iable) + (res)istor

Word History and Origins

Origin of varistor¹

C20: a blend of variable resistor

Example Sentences

The drill is meant to be powered by hot water but the entire effort had to shut down when a "varistor" - a variable resistor - on the boiler's circuit board burned out.

From BBC