conductivity
Americannoun
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Physics. the property or power of conducting heat, electricity, or sound.
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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
noun
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Also called: conduction. the property of transmitting heat, electricity, or sound
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κ.
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a measure of the ability of a substance to conduct electricity; the reciprocal of resistivity
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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
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Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing conductivity
Lead the Way: Duc and Duct
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ACT Vocabulary List
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Chemistry - Introductory
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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.
As electrical conductivity rose, thermal conductivity dropped, and vice versa.
From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026
In addition, they could guide the development of new materials with enhanced proton conductivity, which are important for technologies like fuel cells.
From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026
MXenes offer advantages over graphene, including richer chemistry, easier processing, and higher conductivity, but earlier attempts to form scrolls often led to uneven results.
From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026
While graphene is known for exceptional electrical conductivity, it does not function well as a photocatalyst.
From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026
It can’t be controlled voluntarily, as can skin conductivity, respiration, and cardiac rate.”
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
