Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

superconductivity

[soo-per-kon-duh k-tiv-i-tee]
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
noun Physics.
  1. the phenomenon of almost perfect conductivity shown by certain substances at temperatures approaching absolute zero. The recent discovery of materials that are superconductive at temperatures hundreds of degrees above absolute zero raises the possibility of revolutionary developments in the production and transmission of electrical energy.

Origin of superconductivity

First recorded in 1915–20; super- + conductivity
Related formssu·per·con·duc·tion [soo-per-kuh n-duhk-shuh n] /ˌsu pər kənˈdʌk ʃən/, nounsu·per·con·duc·tive [soo-per-kuh n-duhk-tiv] /ˌsu pər kənˈdʌk tɪv/, su·per·con·duct·ing, adjectivesu·per·con·duc·tor [soo-per-kuh n-duhk-ter] /ˌsu pər kənˈdʌk tər/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for superconductor

superconductivity

noun
  1. physics the property of certain substances that have no electrical resistance. In metals it occurs at very low temperatures, but higher temperature superconductivity occurs in some ceramic materials
Derived Formssuperconduction (ˌsuːpəkənˈdʌkʃən), nounsuperconductive or superconducting, adjectivesuperconductor, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for superconductor

n.

1913, translation of Dutch suprageleider, coined by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes (1853-1926). See super- + computer.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
superconductor in Science

superconductivity

[sōō′pər-kŏn′dŭk-tĭv′ĭ-tē]
  1. The ability of certain metals or alloys to conduct an electric current with almost no resistance. Superconductivity usually occurs close to absolute zero, at temperatures approaching -459.67°F (-273.15°C), but has also been observed at temperatures as high as -200°F (-128.88°C).
Related formssuperconductor noun
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
superconductor in Culture

superconductor

A material that can develop superconductivity (see also superconductivity).

Note

Superconductors are used to make large electromagnets, and they are starting to play a major role in industry.

superconductivity

[(sooh-puhr-kon-duk-tiv-uh-tee)]

A property of some materials in which their electrical resistance drops to zero, and they acquire the ability to carry electric current (see also current) with no loss of energy whatsoever. Formerly, materials developed superconductivity only at temperatures near absolute zero, but new materials have been found that remain superconductive at temperatures above those of liquid nitrogen. The goal of current research is to find a material that remains superconductive at room temperature.

superconductivity

[(sooh-puhr-kon-duk-tiv-uh-tee)]

A property of materials by which their electrical resistance goes to zero, and they acquire the ability to carry electric current (see also current) with no losses whatsoever.

Note

Formerly, materials showed superconductivity only near absolute zero, but new materials have been found that are superconducting at much higher temperatures.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.