conductivity

American  

[kon-duhk-tiv-i-tee] / ˌkɒn dʌkˈtɪv ɪ ti /

noun

• conductivities
  plural

1. Physics. the property or power of conducting heat, electricity, or sound.

2. Also called specific conductance. Electricity. a measure of the ability of a given substance to conduct electric current, equal to the reciprocal of the resistance of the substance. σ

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conductivity British  

/ ˌkɒndʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: conduction. the property of transmitting heat, electricity, or sound

2. κ.

   1. a measure of the ability of a substance to conduct electricity; the reciprocal of resistivity

   2. Formerly called: specific conductance. in the case of a solution, the electrolytic conductivity is the current density divided by the electric field strength, measured in siemens per metre

3. See thermal conductivity

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conductivity Scientific  

/ kŏn′dŭk-tĭv′ĭ-tē /

1. The ability to transfer heat, electricity, or sound by conduction.

2. See conductance

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• conductivities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of conductivity

First recorded in 1830–40; conductive + -ity

Explanation

A material's conductivity is the extent that it allows an electric current to flow through it. Metal generally has high conductivity. In physics, the noun conductivity is used for the rate or degree that electricity, heat, or sound travels through something. So materials with high conductivity allow heat to flow quickly and completely through them. These substances are also known as conductors. Both words are rooted in the Latin conducere, "to lead or bring together."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

conductivity conductivities

The late Professor Joseph Heremans of Ohio State designed the thermal conductivity experiments and guided doctoral candidate Delaram Rashadfar through the analysis.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

Tesla has been a leader in this trend, for instance, securing patents on aluminum alloys with high electrical conductivity External link.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

It does have some more engineering problems than copper, including poorer conductivity, corrosion, and brittleness.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

These excitations are especially valuable because they help protect electrical conductivity from disruptive noise and interference.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2026

Of course, quasi-religious talk about mind control is more appealing than a discussion of heat content and conductivity.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

"The present findings of high conductivities and unique ion migration mechanisms in Ba7Nb3.8Mo1.2O20.1 will help the development of science and engineering of oxide-ion, proton, and dual-ion conductors," concludes a hopeful Prof. Yashima.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 17, 2023

After screening various Ba7Nb4-xMo1+xO20+x/2 compositions, the team found that Ba7Nb3.8Mo1.2O20.1 had remarkable proton and oxide-ion conductivities.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 17, 2023

The process involves changing the electrical conductivities of semiconductors such as silicon by adding impurities.

From Nature ● Jan. 21, 2020

Molten salts are used because they possess a number of beneficial properties, including high heat capacities and thermal conductivities.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

The relative strength of current in the two branches will be proportional to their conductivities.

From Hawkins Electrical Guide, Number One Questions, Answers, & Illustrations, A Progressive Course of Study for Engineers, Electricians, Students and Those Desiring to acquire a Working Knowledge of Electricity and its Applications by Nehemiah Hawkins

Related Words

• dynamism
• electricity
• heat
• potential
• service
• strength