inverter

American  

[in-vur-ter] / ɪnˈvɜr tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that inverts.

2. Electricity. a device that converts direct current into alternating current.

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inverter British  

/ ɪnˈvɜːtə /

noun

1. any device for converting a direct current into an alternating current

2. computing another name for NOT circuit

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inverter Scientific  

/ ĭn-vûr′tər /

1. An electronic device that reverses the sign of the current or voltage of a signal or power source.

2. Also called phase inverter

3. An electrical device used to convert direct current into alternating current.

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Etymology

Origin of inverter

First recorded in 1605–15; invert + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The inverter is the device that automatically draws supplies from the battery when the mains switch off.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

As of 2024, it was Europe’s largest grid-battery supplier and its second-largest inverter supplier, according to Wood Mackenzie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

In recent months, Michaels said, firefighters have responded to numerous malfunctioning alarms and inverter fires at solar farms, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2025

Another similar move in 2022 saw Tesla recall nearly 128,000 cars in China over a rear motor inverter defect.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2024

We can use automobile batteries, and the inverter will give us 110 AC for a while, until the batteries run down.

From The Flaming Mountain by Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)