dielectric

[ dahy-i-lek-trik ]

/ ˌdaɪ ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

Electricity

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noun

a nonconducting substance; insulator.

a substance in which an electric field can be maintained with a minimum loss of power.

adjective

of or relating to a dielectric substance.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of dielectric

First recorded in 1830–40; di-³ + electric

OTHER WORDS FROM dielectric

di·e·lec·tri·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby dielectric

die-hard, die in harness, diel, die laughing, dieldrin, dielectric, dielectric constant, dielectric heating, dielectric lens, dielectric loss, dielectric strength

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dielectric in a sentence

The ambient electric field has to be great enough to overwhelm the “dielectric breakdown strength” of air.
What happens when lightning strikes — and how to stay safe|Matthew Cappucci|August 5, 2022|Washington Post
In our experiment, we used the dielectric resonator to generate a control field over an area that could contain up to four million qubits.
How a Simple Crystal Could Help Pave the Way to Full-Scale Quantum Computing|Jarryd Pla|August 19, 2021|Singularity Hub
In our work we show that a component known as a dielectric resonator could finally allow this.
How a Simple Crystal Could Help Pave the Way to Full-Scale Quantum Computing|Jarryd Pla|August 19, 2021|Singularity Hub
From Walden's work it appears that the dielectric constant finally determines the quantitative ionizing effect of a solvent.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz

What was really important was the sort of condensers made possible by a genuinely good dielectric material.
Security|Poul William Anderson
Numerically the specific inductive capacity of a dielectric is equal to the dielectric constant already mentioned.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
The coefficient K is called the dielectric constant of the medium, and its value is taken as unity for air.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
Take as example the chapter in which he explains electrostatic attractions by pressures and tensions in the dielectric medium.
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar

British Dictionary definitions for dielectric

dielectric

/ (ˌdaɪɪˈlɛktrɪk) /

noun

a substance or medium that can sustain a static electric field within it

a substance or body of very low electrical conductivity; insulator

adjective

of, concerned with, or having the properties of a dielectric

Derived forms of dielectric

dielectrically, adverb

Word Origin for dielectric

from dia- + electric

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for dielectric

dielectric

[ dī′ĭ-lĕk′trĭk ]

Adjective

Having little or no ability to conduct electricity, generally as a result of having no electrons that are free to move.

Noun

A dielectric substance, especially one used in a capacitor to maintain an electric field between the plates.

Cultural definitions for dielectric

dielectric

[ (deye-i-lek-trik) ]

A material that conducts (see conduction) electricity poorly or not at all. If a voltage is applied to a dielectric, the atoms in the material arrange themselves in such a way as to oppose the flow of electric current (see also current). Glass, wood, and plastic are common dielectrics. (See insulator.)