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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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. 2022

How to use dielectric in a sentence

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
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
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.)