attenuator

American  

[uh-ten-yoo-ey-ter] / əˈtɛn yuˌeɪ tər /

noun

Electronics.

1. a device for decreasing the amplitude of an electronic signal.

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attenuator British  

/ əˈtɛnjʊˌeɪtə /

noun

1. physics any device designed to reduce the power of a wave or electrical signal without distorting it

2. a person or thing that attenuates

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Etymology

Origin of attenuator

First recorded in 1920–25; attenuate + -or ²

Example Sentences

The Team Penske car, which Newgarden won with in 2024, is now in the renovated IMS Museum and features a modified rear attenuator similar to the one seen Sunday at Indianapolis that resulted in penalties.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2025

The team was accused of stuffing and smoothing the seams of the rear attenuator, a part that is standard for all teams and therefore cannot be modified.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2025

In that statement, the company said that a damaged safety barrier, called a crash attenuator, contributed to the severity of the crash.

From The Verge • May 1, 2019

In that statement, the company said that a damaged safety barrier, called a crash attenuator, contributed to the severity.

From The Verge • Jun. 7, 2018

The damage likely made the attenuator ineffective and contributed to Huang’s death.

From The Verge • Jun. 7, 2018