condenser

American  

[kuhn-den-ser] / kənˈdɛn sər /

noun

1. a person or thing that condenses.

2. an apparatus for condensing.

3. any device for reducing gases or vapors to liquid or solid form.

4. Optics. a lens or combination of lenses that gathers and concentrates light in a specified direction, often used to direct light onto the projection lens in a projection system.

5. Electricity. capacitor.

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condenser British  

/ kənˈdɛnsə /

noun

1. 1. an apparatus for reducing gases to their liquid or solid form by the abstraction of heat

   2. a device for abstracting heat, as in a refrigeration unit

2. a lens that concentrates light into a small area

3. another name for capacitor

4. a person or device that condenses

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condenser Scientific  

/ kən-dĕn′sər /

1. An apparatus used to condense vapor, usually using cooling or pressurization.

2. See capacitor

3. A mirror, lens, or combination of lenses used to gather light and direct it upon an object or through a projection lens.

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Other Word Forms

• intercondenser
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of condenser

First recorded in 1680–90; condense + -er ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

condenser

The one outside acts as a condenser, which expels the unwanted heat into the air outside.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Outside, clear away debris from the condenser unit so it can breathe.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026

After The Wall Street Journal asked about Gallo’s case, UPS refunded his cost of the condenser.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 26, 2025

“The condenser should be vacuumed every three to six months, or sooner if you have pets,” she says.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2021

The liquid there heated and changed state, rising as vapor through the fractionating column to catch in the condenser and trickle in droplets into the collection flask.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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