dynamo
noun
an electric generator, especially for direct current.
dynamo
1 American
[dahy-nuh-moh]
/ ˈdaɪ nəˌmoʊ /
noun
plural
dynamos-
an electric generator, especially for direct current.
-
an energetic, hardworking, forceful person.
dynamo-
2
American
Also
dynam-.
dynamo-
1
British
combining form
dynamo
2
British
/ ˈdaɪnəˌməʊ /
noun
-
a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, esp one that produces direct current Compare generator
-
informal an energetic hard-working person
dynamo
Scientific
/ dī′nə-mō′ /
Etymology
Origin of dynamo
First recorded in 1882; short for dynamoelectric
Explanation
A dynamo creates energy. It’s short for "dynamoelectric machine," which is a generator that cranks out electric currents. If someone calls you a dynamo, don’t get mad, it just means you’re energetic. The word dynamo comes from the Greek dynamis for "power." Boom! It’s like dynamite! The inventor of the dynamo-electric machine knew that when he named the device that turns mechanical power into electric current. Dynamos have been used to make power since the 1800’s. Since dynamo is such a snappy name, it’s often used to describe high-energy people, too. Is your room a disaster? Call an organizing dynamo to help you clean it up.
Vocabulary lists containing dynamo
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His startup Dynamo is trying to build massive drones to carry 10,000-pound payloads.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Creating a data center with mixed servers that collaborate with each other is a thorny problem that Nvidia solved with software called Dynamo.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
Palace, who qualified for Europe by winning the FA Cup - the first trophy in the club's history - have been drawn against Dynamo Kyiv, Shelbourne and Strasbourg in the Conference League.
From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025
Zabarnyi joined Bournemouth in 2023 from Dynamo Kyiv for a reported £24m, while Hujsen was signed from Juventus last summer for a fee of £12.6m and Kerkez cost a reported £15.5m from AZ Alkmaar.
From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025
The Dynamo Fields.—Two of these spools are so made and they are called the fields of the dynamo.
From Electricity for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
