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• dynamo
  dynamo

  noun

  an electric generator, especially for direct current.
• dynamo-
  dynamo-

  variant of dyna-.

dynamo

¹ American  

[dahy-nuh-moh] / ˈdaɪ nəˌmoʊ /

noun

dynamos plural

1. an electric generator, especially for direct current.

2. an energetic, hardworking, forceful person.

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dynamo- ² American  

Also dynam-.

1. variant of dyna-.

   dynamometer.

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dynamo- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating power

   dynamoelectric

   dynamite

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dynamo ² British  

/ ˈdaɪnəˌməʊ /

noun

1. a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, esp one that produces direct current Compare generator

2. informal an energetic hard-working person

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dynamo Scientific  

/ dī′nə-mō′ /

1. An electric generator, especially one that produces direct current.

2. See more at generator

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dynamos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dynamo

First recorded in 1882; short for dynamoelectric

Explanation

A dynamo creates energy. It’s short for "dynamoelectric machine," which is a generator that cranks out electric currents. If someone calls you a dynamo, don’t get mad, it just means you’re energetic. The word dynamo comes from the Greek dynamis for "power." Boom! It’s like dynamite! The inventor of the dynamo-electric machine knew that when he named the device that turns mechanical power into electric current. Dynamos have been used to make power since the 1800’s. Since dynamo is such a snappy name, it’s often used to describe high-energy people, too. Is your room a disaster? Call an organizing dynamo to help you clean it up.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dynamo dynamos

That passionate avowal is delivered, in the 1986 classic “Sherman’s March,” by southern dynamo and self-appointed matchmaker Charleen Swansea.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Brunson, the clutch dynamo who the Spurs had largely contained in recent games, exploded for 36 points.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

This flipping is thought to be driven by the "dynamo action" of molten iron circulating in Earth's core, which generates electrical currents and magnetic fields.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 21, 2026

When David Ellison took the reins of Paramount Skydance just four months ago, he promised to rapidly transform the storied movie studio and television business into a tech-forward dynamo well positioned for growth.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 6, 2025

From above came a deep tremor, like a mighty dynamo, almost too low to hear, though it shook the very atoms of the air and jolted the marrow in Will’s bones.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

According to Helled, "Our models have so-called "ionic water" layers which generate magnetic dynamos in locations that explain the observed non-dipolar magnetic fields. We also found that Uranus' magnetic field originates deeper than Neptune's."

From Science Daily ● Dec. 10, 2025

We can no longer separate questions of child well-being or parental stress from these twin dynamos.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 20, 2022

The electric motor was a familiar concept even for Rolls-Royce founders: Henry Royce’s first venture, named F. H. Royce and Company, created dynamos, electric crane motors, and bayonet-style light bulb fitting.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 29, 2021

For a subset of neutron stars, that fluid would churn enough to set in motion something similar to the roiling dynamos that power magnetic fields inside Earth or the Sun.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 8, 2021

The dynamos purred in the sub-basement, the lifts rushed up and down.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley