volt

¹

[ vohlt ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. the standard unit of potential difference and electromotive force in the International System of Units (SI), formally defined to be the difference of electric potential between two points of a conductor carrying a constant current of one ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is equal to one watt. : V

volt

²

[ vohlt ]

noun

1. Manège.
   1. a circular or turning movement of a horse.
   2. a gait in which a horse going sideways turns around a center, with the head turned outward.
2. Fencing. a sudden movement or leap to avoid a thrust.

volt

¹

/ vɒlt /

noun

1. a small circle of determined size executed in dressage
2. a leap made in fencing to avoid an opponent's thrust

volt

²

/ vəʊlt /

noun

1. the derived SI unit of electric potential; the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is 1 watt V

volt

/ vōlt /

1. The SI derived unit used to measure electric potential at a given point, usually a point in an electric circuit. A voltage difference of one volt drives one ampere of current through a conductor that has a resistance of one ohm. One joule of work is required to move an electric charge of one coulomb across a potential difference of one volt. One volt is equivalent to one joule per coulomb.
2. See also Ohm's law

volt

1. The unit of electromotive force, the volt measures how much “pressure” there is in an electric circuit . The higher the voltage, the more electrical current (see also current ) will flow in the circuit.

Notes

Ordinary household outlets are usually rated at 115 volts, car batteries at 12 volts, and flashlight batteries at 1.5 volts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of volt¹

First recorded in 1870–75; named after A. Volta

Origin of volt²

1650–60; < French volte < Italian volta, noun derivative of voltare to turn < Vulgar Latin *volvitare, frequentative of Latin volvere to turn; vault ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of volt¹

C17: from French volte, from Italian volta a turn, ultimately from Latin volvere to turn

Origin of volt²

C19: named after Count Alessandro Volta ²

Example Sentences

A man who suffered "horrific" burns to his body after touching electrical cables carrying 11,000 volts has been reunited with the ambulance staff who helped to save his life.

From BBC

"We are the first group to show that you can produce hydrogen utilizing biomass at a fraction of a volt," said Singh, associate professor in the department of chemical engineering.

From Science Daily

The chargers are about six times faster than charging with a standard 120 volt wall outlet, but around one-fifth the speed of some faster chargers in the city, he said.

From Seattle Times

Using advanced techniques based on X-ray scattering and optical spectroscopy, the research team uncovered a fundamental energy excitation occurring at 285 millielectron volts.

From Science Daily

The Portuguese reacted like he'd just had 100 volts shot through his body.

From BBC