dielectric

American  

[dahy-i-lek-trik] / ˌdaɪ ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

noun

1. a nonconducting substance; insulator.

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

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adjective

1. of or relating to a dielectric substance.

dielectric British  

/ 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

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adjective

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

dielectric Scientific  

/ dī′ĭ-lĕk′trĭk /

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

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

dielectric Cultural  

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.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dielectrically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of dielectric

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

Example Sentences

Using this concept, the team designed and experimentally demonstrated a three dimensional singular dielectric resonator capable of confining light below the diffraction limit in all three spatial dimensions.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

Many energy-harvesting devices degrade in such environments, but this generator remained stable because its dielectric layer is chemically inert and its water-based structure is naturally resilient.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2025

These antennas, built from layers of metal and dielectric materials in a precise bullseye pattern, guide the light in a well-defined direction instead of letting it scatter.

From Science Daily • Oct. 8, 2025

According to a study published in Nature, an international team of researchers from Rice University and Hanyang University developed the material by embedding clusters of highly dielectric ceramic nanoparticles into an elastic polymer.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

By inserting dielectric bodies between the spheres, beautiful discharge phenomena may be observed.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford