conductivity

American  

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

noun

plural

conductivities

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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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

As electrical conductivity rose, thermal conductivity dropped, and vice versa.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Most smartphones use capacitive touchscreen technology, the operation of which relies on skin conductivity.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Even though they account for less than 5% of the electrode's total weight, they strongly influence mechanical strength, electrical and ionic conductivity, and how long a battery can operate through repeated charge cycles.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2026

This has limited efforts to fine tune battery performance, since the way binders are distributed directly affects conductivity, structural stability, and long term durability.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2026

What makes this phenomenon less remarkable is the relatively little- known fact that dehydrated wood has an extremely low heat content and very poor heat conductivity.

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

Related Words

• dynamism
• electricity
• heat
• potential
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